Question : UTILIZATION OF CENTRAL FUNDS

(a) whether some of the State Governments including Maharashtra could not utilize the funds allocated by the Union Government under various Urban Developmental Schemes during the last three years and thereafter till date;

(b) if so, the details thereof, State-wise;

(c) whether the funds also remained unutilized due to non-contribution of matching grants by the State Governments;

(d) if so, whether some State Governments had diverted funds under other schemes such as National Slum Development Programme;

(e) if so, the details thereof and reasons therefor;

(f) whether any observations were made by the auditors in this regard; and

(g) if so, the corrective action the Union Government proposes to take to check such practices?

MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) IN THE MINISTRY OF URBAN EMPLOYMENT & POVERTY ALLEVIATION ( KUMARI SELJA )

(a)to(g): A Statement is laid on the Table of the Sabha.

STATEMENT

STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 635 FOR 10.5.2005 REGARDING UTILIZATION OF CENTRAL FUNDS.

(a)&(b): The Ministry of Urban Employment & Poverty Alleviation has been implementing Swarna Jayanti Shahari Rozgar Yojana (SJSRY), Valmiki Ambedkar Awas Yojana (VAMBAY), National Scheme of Liberation and Rehabilitation of Scavengers (NSLRS) and Integrated Low Cost Sanitation Scheme (ILCS) in urban areas. In addition, funds under the Additional Central Assistance (ACA) Scheme of National Slum Development Programme (NSDP) were also being released by Ministry of Finance on the recommendations of this Ministry. A statement indicating the funds released by this Ministry during the last three years and the utilization as reported by the States, is at Annexures I to V.

(c): No such incidence has been reported to this Ministry.

(d)to(g): In the draft inspection report for the period 2001-02 and 2002-03 received in this Ministry in March 2004, attention was drawn to the diversion of funds under NSDP by some of the States/UTs. Maharashtra was one among such States, for which diversion of funds for 1999-2000 and 2000-2001 was reported. The matter was taken up with the Government of Maharashtra for their comments/clarification. On the basis of available information, this Ministry has furnished a report on 6th December 2004 to the Principal Director of Audit, Economic and Services Ministries.