Minister for Panchayat Raj Jupalli Krishna Rao today informed the Assembly that an amount of over Rs 500 crore out of the total quantum of funds allocated to gram panchayats and municipalities by the Central government was yet to be received by the State Government.
Replying to a question in this regard by the BJP members in the House on Thursday, the minister explained that of the total amount of Rs 2,330 crore sanctioned by the Centre under 13th Finance Commission, only an amount of Rs 1,826 crore was received. The minister asserted that the State Government was allocating adequate funds to the Gram Panchayats and municipalities to take up all the developmental works. It is the endeavor of the government to ensure that these local bodies are financially sound and viable, he observed. The Minister also pointed out that 100 percent taxes are being collected in Gram Panchayats.
Earlier, the BJP members expressed concern that the Gram Panchayats and municipalities were facing financial crunch. They stressed the need for the government to ensure that the local bodies were provided adequate funds to take up various developmental and welfare works, especially with regard to roads and drinking water supply. (NSS)