Akshay Azad
Early Times Report
Jammu, Feb 19: The delay on part of Union government to sanction release of full Annual Plan 2014-15 to Jammu and Kashmir has compelled the state government to wait further instead of conveying authorization of 100 percent funds under Annual plan 2014-15.
Sources informed Early Times as the financial year 2014-15 is about to culminate the Planning and Development Department in yet to release of 100 percent authorization of plan funds. "In the third quarter of financial year 2014-15, Planning and Development department had conveyed authorization of 75 percent funds under Annual Plan including Revenue and capital component", sources said, adding that but till date 100 percent authorization was not conveyed.
They said that on Thursday according to order 26-PD of 2015, Planning and Development Department conveyed authorization of 90 percent to the utilization of plan outlay 2014-15 as detailed in "Demand for Grants 2014-15" on plan budget by the respective administrative heads, Head of Departments and District Development Commissioners under Revenue component but under capital component the authorization was still 75 percent.
"Total funds authorized under revenue component till date for utilization including 90 percent authorization for Salary, Wages, NPS, Stipend/Scholarship, Honorarium and Medical reimbursement while 75 percent authorization for other revenue items like TE, POL, Rent etc", the order read as, adding the funds so released should not be available for re-appropriation/diversion at any level and should be utilized after fulfilling all formalities.
Sources in Planning and Development Department informed Early Times that there was persistent demand from various department heads for 100 percent authorization of revenue component of annual plan, as the salary of employees in various departments was pending for months together. "With the sanction of 90 percent authorization of funds, same will help the departments to release salaries of employees", sources said.
They said, the decision taken by P&DD to sanction 90 percent authorization of revenue component has been taken in the backdrop of denial by Union government to release 100 percent annual plan funds in last financial year 2013-14", sources said, adding that due to non release of 100 percent funds in last year, the P&DD had to meet the funds' shortage from non-plan funds, so department this year, has not sanctioned authorization of 100 percent funds.
Sources said that though the financial year was heading towards culmination but still a huge amount under Special Plan Assistance (SPA) component is still pending with Union government, out of total Rs. 7300 Crores annual plan 2014-15, agreed by Union government. |
