Plan funds lapse due to government negligence

BY OUR STAFF REPORTER

GUWAHATI, January 11: On several occasions recently, Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi said that Plan fund allocation for Assam had been reduced (about Rs 3,000 crore) this fiscal, which, according to him, was an injustice meted out to the State government by the Centre. But the fact is that most of the government departments in the State fail to fully utilise Plan funds given by the Central government under different heads in every fiscal year.

Official records stated that Rs 4367.36 crore of the total Plan fund allocated in the fiscal year 2013–14 for Assam was not utilized due to reasons best known to the government.

In the fiscal year 2013–14, total Plan fund allocation for Assam was Rs 12,500 crore. But of the allocated amount, Rs 8132.64 crore was only utilized by different departments.

Although the Chief Minister often tells the government departments about full and timely utilisation of Plan fund for the development of the State, it has not yet resulted in full utilisation of the same. And on most occasions, a major chunk of the Plan fund lapsed.

In the fiscal year 2013–14, for agri and allied activities, which are one of the most important sectors for the State’s economy, only Rs 929.40 crore was utilised out of Rs 1259.83 crore Plan fund allocated.

For this fiscal, about Rs 21,000 crore has been earmarked as Plan fund provision for Assam.

DEPARTMENTS/SECTORS
Rural development
Special areas programme
Irrigation and flood control
Energy
Industries and Commerce 
Transport/road transport
Communication
Science and technology
General economic services
Social services
General services
NEC
NLCPR

allocated fund
Rs 866.78 cr
Rs 1695.33 cr
Rs 1582.92 cr
Rs 667.54 cr
Rs 243.03 cr
Rs 1224.14 cr
Rs 70.19 cr
Rs 27.52 cr
Rs 403.17 cr
Rs 3212.40 cr
Rs 499.83 cr
Rs 283.99 cr
Rs 463.30 cr

FUND UTILISED
Rs 711.54 cr
Rs 1341.32 cr
Rs 348.70 cr
Rs 638.86 cr
Rs 133.62 cr
Rs 973.54 cr
Rs 44.15 cr
Rs 25.07 cr
Rs 207.16 cr
Rs 2071.22 cr
Rs 450.77 cr
Rs 73.57 cr
Rs 183.67 cr