Khanduri accepts suggestions on fund utilisation

With substantial amount of fund still unutilised, Uttarakhand Chief Minister BC Khanduri has accepted the key recommendations of a committee constituted to suggest ways for better utilisation of budgetary funds so as to give a fillip to the development work.

The committee, headed by Planning Secretary Radha Raturi and constituted recently, gave its recommendations for better fund flow and their proper utilisation, officials said today.

"The chief minister has accepted the recommendations of this committee," a top official said.

Under the recommendations, funds will be released to various departments from the first quarter of the next fiscal. At a press conference here, Khanduri also said his government was committed to give thrust to the development work and monitor utilisation of funds.

Expressing concern over utilisation of only 65 per cent of the fund so far, Khanduri said the committee had suggested various measures for timely utilisation of funds.

"We will ensure, from the next financial year, that the money is being spent on development work from the first quarter," he said.

Khanduri's assertion came in view of the fear expressed at various quarters about lapsing of substantial funds during this fiscal that also leads to cost overruns. CAG in its latest report has indicted PWD and Irrigation department for the delay of nearly 169 projects leading to the cost overrun factors in the tune of Rs 14.09 cores.

Meanwhile, Khanduri said the government would set up an expert committee to study the recommendations of the sixth pay commission. The committee would be set up very soon and will comprise economic experts. "We want to increase the efficiency of our employees by providing them maximum facilities," he said. But for this, the government would have to see its own resources before taking any decision, he said.

However, Khanduri described the recommendations of the sixth pay commission as 'political stunt' by the centre, which he said has set its eyes on the next general elections.