The DoNER ministry has asked the state governments of all the Northeastern states to fix responsibility against the erring officers for non-utilization of central funds and take action as per the rules against the guilty.
Replying to a query in the Lok Sabha on Wednesday, DoNER minister Jitendra Singh said that action taken on serious complaints, as well as irregularities pointed out by audit reports are followed up by the ministry.
“During the period from 2014-15 to 2020-21 funds amounting to Rs 13199.36 crore were released by the DoNER ministry to the Northeastern states including Assam, for projects sanctioned under various schemes of the ministry,” said Jitendra Singh.
“We have received utilization certificates of Rs 12242.34 crore from the state so far,” he said.
Funds are transferred by the ministry to the state governments, who are responsible for implementing the projects and utilizing the funds.
The ministry also informs about complaints received in respect of irregularities in utilization of funds to the state governments, who are to take appropriate action in the matter.
Singh said that all non-exempted central ministries and departments are mandated to spend at least 10 per cent of the gross budgetary support (GBS) of the central sector and centrally sponsored schemes in the northeastern region.
“Unutilized funds under 10 per cent GBS during the financial year gets transferred to Non-Lapsable Central Pool of Resources (NLCPR), which is maintained on a proforma basis by the finance ministry,” he said.