Question : Diversion of Funds by DRDA

(a) whether the Government has taken note of misuse diversion of funds by certain District Rural Development Agencies in the country during the last three years and the current year;

(b) if so, the details thereof along with the remedial steps taken/being taken by the Government in this regard, State/UT-wise;

(c) the details of the review of the functioning of the District Rural Development Agencies (DRDAs) conducted during the said period State/UTwise including Maharashtra;

(d) whether the Government has taken or proposes to take any steps to improve the functioning of the DRDAs across the country; and

(e) if so, the details thereof, State/UTwise including Maharashtra?

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RURAL DEVELOPMENT
(SHRI SUDARSHAN BHAGAT)

(a) & (b): No misuse or diversion of funds by District Rural Development Agencies under DRDA Administration scheme has come to notice of the Ministry of Rural Developmentduring last three years and current year.

(c)to (e): In order to review the functioning of the DRDAs in the country, the Ministry had set up a Committee on Restructuring of DRDAs in November, 2010. The mandate of the Committee was to study the functioning of DRDAs and give suitable recommendations for its restructuring. The Committee submitted its report in January, 2012. The recommendations made by the Committee have been accepted by the Department of Rural Development with some modifications. Based on the recommendations of the Committee, a EFC note for restructuring the DRDAs was prepared and meeting of EFC took place on 10/02/2014. The decision taken by the Government on restructuring of DRDAs will be applicable to the State of Maharashtra as well.

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