MINISTER OF PANCHAYATI RAJ(SHRI V. KISHORE CHANDRA DEO)
(a) During the current year (2013-14), Ministry of Panchayati Raj (MoPR) has not re-appropriated
funds for expenditure by converting small schemes into major schemes.
(b) During the Eleventh Five Year Plan Period (2007-08 to 2011-12), under the District component
of the Backward Regions Grant Fund (BRGF) Programme, the actual expenditure was Rs.21623.46
crore against the Revised Estimate (RE) allocation of Rs.21627.00 crore i.e. 99.98%. During the
first year of the Twelfth Five Year Plan i.e. 2012-13, fund releases was Rs.3720.19 crore
against the RE allocation of Rs.3734.00 crore i.e. 99.63%.
(c) The allocation for the Twelfth Five Year Plan Period (2012-13 to 2016-17) for BRGF Programme
stands at Rs.29306.00 crore.
(d) Utilisation of funds under the BRGF Programme is a continuous process which is carried on
throughout the year. BRGF funds are released in two instalments during a financial year and
the essential condition for release of each instalment is 60% utilisation of the earlier
releases. In this way, the districts have a steady flow of funds to undertake developmental
activities and at the same time, excess funds are not released. The Ministry of Panchayati Raj
has taken several steps for optimum utilisation of BRGF funds like time lines have been set for
preparation and submission of the District Plans; BRGF funds are required to be transferred
to the Implementing Entities (IEs) within 15 days of the release of funds to the Consolidated
Fund of the States failing which penal interest is required to be paid by the State Governments
and as a follow up measure regular review meetings, workshops, video conferences are held with
the State Governments.
