Rs 93 lakhs for capacity building of local bodies
Source: Hueiyen News Service
Imphal, March 20 2013:
The Government of India has sanctioned Rs 93 lakhs as Central Assistance Fund to the State Government for Capacity Building of the local bodies under Backward Regions Grant Fund (BRGF) for implementation of projects under Schedule Tribes Sub-Plan (STSP) for the Annual Action Plan 2012-13 .
According to a reliable source, the sanctioning of the amount and the purpose for which it has been sanctioned, have been made known to the Principal Secretary, Finance Department, Government of Manipur and other concerned officials by Puneet Sharma, Deputy Secretary of Union Ministry of Panchayati Raj.
The source further revealed that BRGF programme has two funding windows, one as development grant and the other as Capacity Building Fund.
And the amount of Rs 93 lakhs sanctioned by Government of India is under provision of Capacity Building Fund.
It is to be utilized and accounts maintained in accordance with the provisions the BRGF Guidelines and the progress reports are to be submitted by the State Government to the Centre.
The source pointed out that the BGRF funds should be transferred by the State Government to the Panchayats, Municipalities and Implementing Agencies of the programme within 15 days of the release of the funds.
In case of delay in transfer of the funds by the State Government beyond the stipulated time, a penal interest at the RBI rate shall be required to be transferred by the State Government to the Implementing Agencies concerned along with the principal amount of the fund.
The grants should be utilized as per cost norms of BGRGF Guidelines and the accounts of the Grantee institution will be audited by the CAG of India and the Internal Audit of the Principal Accounts Office of the Union Ministry of Panchayati Raj, the source added.