Concerns raised over PMGSY fund snub
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, November 24 2024: Although the central government had already sanctioned Rs 162.2875 crore under the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sa-dak Yojana (PMGSY) to the state for the financial year 2023-24, the delay on the part of the state's finance department in releasing the state's share has raised concerns on whether the centre would withhold the funds for 2024-25 .

According to a report, on October 9, union minister of Rural Development and Agriculture and Farmers' Welfare Shivraj Singh Chouhan had send a letter addressed to chief minister N Biren with regard to the funds sanctioned by the Centre for PMGSY and the share to be contributed by the state, and for the funds to be disbursed to the State Nodal Account (SNA).

However, the Finance Department is yet to release the funds.

As per the letter send by the union minister, on March 27 this year, the Ministry released Rs Rs 162.2875 crore as the central share for the financial year 2023-24 .

With this central share in the state's treasury, the state is to also transfer Rs 17.92 crore within 30 days to the executive agency, the SNA of RD&PR.

Although the Department had urged the state authority to release the funds repeatedly, no process has been initiated till date, thereby affecting the works undertaken under PMGSY in the state.

Furthermore, the delay or slowing down of the PMGSY works could lead to non-sanction of this year's allocation, the letter informed.

As the Finance Department failed to release the funds for over seven months, the works being done in the state under the Scheme are either being delayed or kept in abeyance.

Thus, concerns are being raised that the centre may withhold the allocation for 2024-25 if the status quo remain unchanged.

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