MGNREGS sees setback in Kodagu
Funds not released for works undertaken
The ambitious project, Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme, taken up under the flagship of Central Government is seeing a setback in the District because the funds for the works undertaken are not being released, said the Panchayat Presidents and Panchayat Development Officers.
The issue was brought to light during review meeting on rural development works, held at Fort premises on Thursday. They said that though several works have been undertaken under the project, the Centre has not been releasing the funds.
Responding to the same, Zilla Panchayat Chief Executive Officer N Krishnappa said that this has happened because certain districts in Uttar Karnataka have not been able to send details on the funds to the Centre, due to which the Centre has stopped releasing the funds to the entire State.
Taluk Panchayat Member Neravanda Umesh said that the stand of the centre is wrong.ZP Member S N Rajarao said that MP should be asked to pressurise the Centre to release the funds.
Zilla Panchayat Deputy Secretary S Y Basavarajappa said that an Action Plan of Rs eight crore has been prepared for 2011-12. So far, the Centre has released Rs 3.31 crore while the remaining funds will come soon.
A letter has been written to the Centre to release Rs 10 crore, he said. Zilla Panchayat Vice-President H M Cauvery said that in some Panchayats the MGNREGS funds and the funds set aside for the SC/STs has not been utilised effectively.
Unused funds to returnRavi Kushalappa praised Madikeri taluk for doing better work under MGNREGS, when compared to other districts. However, the funds in Virajpet and Somwarpet have been left in the accounts, unused.
In Virajpet, there are 36 Panchayats and Rs two crore are pending. If the funds are no utilised it will sent back to the Government.
Meanwhile the Chief Exicutive Officer has been asked to prepare an Action Plan of Rs 14 crore for 2012-13.
