Central assistance to three states under drought prone areas development

New Delhi, June 13 : The District Rural Development agencies (DRDAs) of Srikakulam in Andhra Pradesh, Ajmer in Rajasthan and Pauri Garhwal in Uttarakhand have been sanctioned Rs. 301.88581 lakh by the Ministry of Rural Development for the implementation of Centrally Sponsored Scheme "Drought Prone Areas Development Programme (DPAP)" during the current financial year (2008-09).

DRDA of Srikakulam in Andhra Pradesh has been sanctioned Rs. 18.15625 lakh as seventh installment under the VII Batch for the completion of eight projects under DPAP during the current financial year.

In Rajasthan, the Ajmer Zilla Panchayat (ZP) will receive Rs.50.61256 lakh as sixth installment under the VIII Batch for the completion of 15 projects under DPAP during the current financial year.

In Uttarakhand, the Pauri Garhwal DRDA is to get Rs.2.33116 crore as second installment under Haryali-III Guidelines for the completion of 35 projects during the current financial year.

The concerned Project Directors, DRDAs/CEO Zilla Parishads (ZPs) will ensure proper utilization of funds by the Project Implementing Authorities (PIAs) and will make the funds available to the PIAs//WCs within 15 days of receiving it. Similarly, the State Government should release its share within 15 days of the release of Central Share of funds.

The payment sanctioned for Ajmer and Pauri Garhwal is provisional. The next installment of Central funds will be released only after all unspent balances and 50 per cent installment now being released has been spent. That is, the unspent balance at the time of seeking the release of next installment should not be more than 50 per cent of the last installment released.

However, in case of Srikakulam, this is the final installment, the Project Officer, DWMA, will ensure to furnish Utilisation Certificate, Quarterly Progress Report, Audited Statements of Accounts, completion report and final evaluation report before formally closing the project.

He will also have to refund the unspent amount, interest generated during the period of project to the Ministry of Rural Development.

ANI