Funds go waste as politicos spar

Srikakulam: While various political outfits are raising hue and cry over lack of funds for the development of backward regions like north Andhra and Rayalaseema, district administration in Srikakulam returned the funds allocated by the Centre due to lack of proposals on their utilisation.
Post bifurcation, the Central government allocated Rs 100 crore to each backward district in the State in two phases. Four districts in Rayalaseema and three districts in north Andhra secured these funds. The Centre released Rs 50 crore to each district in June 2015 and followed it up with another Rs 50 crore in January 2016. These funds were kept under personal deposit (PD) account of Chief Planning Officer (CPO) of the district. According to guidelines, funds should be used to mitigate drought and natural calamities. People’s representatives have no role in deciding utilisation of these funds. However, things turned bad when elected representatives put pressure on officials to get funds in their respective segments disregarding guidelines, leading to officials failing to finalise proposals.
Initially, officials prepared a plan to develop weavers and fishermen at an estimated cost of Rs 50 crore in Srikakulam town, rural and surrounding mandals. But following objections from some leaders, the plans were shelved. In the meantime, second phase of funds were released and this time plans were prepared to construct 10 lift irrigation schemes apart from providing basic facilities to 16 weavers’ societies and building a commercial complex for storing weavers’ products in Srikakulam. However, bickering among political leaders spelt doom to those plans. Joint Collector (development) P Rajanikantha Rao admitted that they were unable to clear proposals by March 31, due to tremendous pressure.