The Union Minister expressed concern at the poor implementation of Central funds meant for the uplift of the deprived lot in the society here which are made available under the Social Justice and Empowerment ministry.
Stating that the average expenditure of the ministry is between 97-99 per cent, Wasnik said the expenditure in the north east hovers a little over 50 per cent which he said the states here have to "address urgently."
"Expenditure in the north east during 08-09 was 58.44 per cent, during 09-10 it was 74.12 per cent, in 10-11 the expenditure was only 42.88 per cent while during 11-12 fiscal year the expenditure was only 55 per cent," Wasnik said.
"The figures are disturbing and indicates that we have to pull ourselves up and ensure that all the shortcomings are addressed and the gaps are plugged," he said.
Wasnik was addressing a one-day conference of state ministers for Welfare/Social Justice department of all north eastern states, including Sikkim. MORE