(a) whether the Government has taken note of cases wherein funds were released to States under various schemes without receiving utilisation certificates for the previous years;
(b) if so, the number of certifications received/outstanding from States during the last three years and the current year, State/ UT-wise including Assam; and
(c) the measures/steps taken by the Government to obtain utilisation certificates from the States including Assam?
MINISTER OF STATE IN MINISTRY OF FINANCE
(SHRI JAYANT SINHA)
(a) to (c) Funds to the State Governments are released as per extant Scheme guidelines including utilization of funds during previous years, by the concerned line Ministries/Departments of Central Government.
Central Government provides grant-in-aid to States under Central Assistance for State Plans, Central Sector Schemes and Finance Commission recommended non-plan grant-in-aid as provided in Union Budget each year keeping in view national priorities and overall development of the States. The concerned State Governments and Central Ministries review and monitor implementation of schemes to ensure effective utilization of funds and further installments of grant-in-aid released accordingly. Utilization Certificates are also monitored by the respective Ministries/Departments. Records of such Utilization Certificates are not maintained centrally in Ministry of Finance. Besides, relevant laws provide for independent audit of all expenditure of public money for utilization towards the intended purpose.
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