Rs 638 crore meant for Backward area development not unspent

Bangalore, Oct 25 (UNI) As many as 41 per cent of the funds amounting to Rs 638 crore earmarked under Special Development Plan (SDP) for development of Backward areas have not been unspent for the year 2007-08, Mr Shashil Namoshi, Chairman, High Power Committee for Redressal of Regional Imbalance Committee (HPCRRI) on Dr Nanjundappa report, said today.

Talking to newspersons here after holding the first meeting of the Committee he said officials concerned disclosed in the meeting that only Rs 933 crore was spent against an allocation of Rs 1571 crore in 114 Backward taluks.

He said Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa, who also holds the Finance portfolio has allocated Rs 2547 crores for implementation of Dr Nanjundappa Committee recomendations for removal of Regional Imbalances for 2008-09.

He said a sub-committee was also formed under the leadership of Dr Panchamukhu, member HPCRRI to evaluate the reasons for not spending allocated funds and also formulate guidelines for the proper implementation of the Special Development Plan (SDP) in future.

He said the Meeting also decided to take up detailed review of the individual departments implementing SDP to appraise the progress and guide them appropriately for effective implementation.

Replying to questions, Mr Namoshi said the state government has decided to spend Rs 16000 crore between 2007-08 to 2014-15 in addition to regular spending through various departments in 114 taluks, classified as most Backward, more Backward and Backward taluks in the state.

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