J&K obtains less than 10% of funds for central plans for 2021-2022
The government of Jammu and Kashmir received less than 10 percent of the budget allocation funds for programs sponsored by the Centre’s headquarters during the first seven months of the current fiscal year.
As of October 27, up to 25 departments in the Union Territory have received only Rs 1,809 crore, which is less than 10% of the CSS allocation of Rs 18,527 crore for 2021-2022. Centrally sponsored schemes are largely funded by the Union government but are implemented by states. Part of the expenses of these schemes is borne by the States.
A dozen of these 25 departments, including that of Jal Shakti, responsible for the implementation of the ambitious Jal Jeevan mission, disaster management, relief, rehabilitation and reconstruction, energy development, aviation and information technology, had not received any CSS funding until October 27.
A senior J&K administration official told the Sunday Express that part of the delay in receiving funds can be attributed to the devastating second wave of Covid-19 through April and May. “This is largely due to the fact that departments did not return to work in the first quarter of the fiscal year,” the official said.
The release of funds depends on “utility certificates” for funds released previously and for some departments, audits of past expenditure. âFor centrally sponsored programs, it also depends on your ability to move forward. There are still five months left in the current fiscal year. Departments will resume work and spending will improve, âthe official said.
Officials said spending on these programs was historically low in Jammu and Kashmir. âUnlike previous years, we are focusing on completing projects in 2021-2022. This will be reflected in the next two quarters, âthe official said.
Department heads interviewed by The Sunday Express pointed out that for centrally sponsored programs such as the National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (NREGS) where utility certificates are not an issue since payments are credited through the direct transfer of benefits, “funds have been delayed”.
According to the budget estimate for 2021-2022, the expenditure of Jal Shakti department is highest at Rs 5,477 crore. Despite an allocation of Rs 2,747.17 crore, the J&K government has not been able to withdraw funds from the Union government. It has an unspent balance of Rs 107 crore which officials say could not be fully utilized due to restrictions on fragmentation of offers. “This is due to the weak tendering capacity of local bidders and the reluctance of outside agencies to bid for work at J&K,” an official said.
Sources within the government said that the UT administration has taken steps to address these issues and that it is expected that “the unspent balance will be used up by next month and the first disbursement of funds of the Indian government “.
A former J&K minister, who spoke to the Sunday Express on condition of anonymity, said figures indicate “dire lack of funds, delays in fieldwork and people’s lives in limbo “.
Meanwhile, departments with estimated spending over Rs 1,000 crore, such as health and medical education, school education, the welfare department and the public works department, received 9 , 4%, 18.6%, 21% and 27.4%. respectively, from the target until the end of October.