Rs 638 crore meant for backward area development remain 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 remained 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.

Speaking to newspersons, after holding the first meeting of the Committee here, he said that officials concerned disclosed in the meeting that only Rs 933 crores was spent against allocation of Rs 1571 crores in HPCRRI classified 114 backward taluks.

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

He said that a sub-committee under HPCRRI 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 that 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 that state government has decided to spend Rs 16000 crores 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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