Question : WASTEFUL EXPENDITURE UNDER THE MINISTRY

(a) whether the Government are aware that Ministry of Rural Development have taken steps to minimise wasteful expenditure in Government Departments and have already identified that there are certain sectors in which wasteful expenditure is maximum in various Government Departments;

(b) if so, the details of such sectors under his Ministry/Departments identified for the purpose and quantum of wasteful expenditure identified therein during each of the last three years (as on 31.12.2001); and

(c) the corrective steps taken so far by the Ministry to curtail/stop such wasteful expenditure, if any?

MINISTER OF RURAL DEVELOPMENT(SHRI SHANTA KUMAR)

(a), (b) & (c) The Plan expenditure on Schemes administered by the Ministry of Rural Development is governed by definite Guidelines, which lay down the criteria and conditions for release of grants and other expenditure.

The expenditure proposals under Plan are approved in accordance with these Guidelines while the expenditure under Non-Plan is regulated by economy instructions issued by the Ministry of Finance from time to time which have been strictly adhered to in approving expenditure proposals under Non-Plan, including in the last three years.