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Delay in Central fund release hit welfare
The delay in release of its share of funds by the Centre hit the SC and BC welfare schemes in the State. This was disclosed by Minister for Social Welfare Nakka Ananda Babu and Minister for BC Welfare K Atchannaidu in the State Assembly on Tuesday.
Vijayawada: The delay in release of its share of funds by the Centre hit the SC and BC welfare schemes in the State. This was disclosed by Minister for Social Welfare Nakka Ananda Babu and Minister for BC Welfare K Atchannaidu in the State Assembly on Tuesday.
They categorically stated that the State government could not spend funds allocated under welfare as the Centre failed to release the funds as per its share.
Giving his reply during the Question Hour in Assembly on Tuesday, Minister Ananda Babu said that Rs 3,136 crore was released for the social welfare department in 2016-2017 out of which Rs 2,477.37 crore was spent.
He pointed out that during 2015-16, Rs 2339.20 crore released and Rs 2,129 crore was spent. During 2014-15, Rs 2,531 crore was released and Rs 2491.53 crore was spent.
BC Welfare Minister Atchannaidu said that funds to the tune of Rs 754.50 crore are yet to be released by the Centre. He pointed out that the government allotted Rs 2665.09 crore for BC Welfare in 2014-15, out of which Rs 2242.16 crore was spent. While Rs 2,573 crore was spent out of a total allocation of Rs 3210 crore in 2015-2016.
Out of Rs 4,987 crore, Rs 4,699.80 crore was spent during 2016-2017. He also assured the MLAs that the government has plans to construct BC Bhavans across the State constituency-wise.
He asked the MLAs to submit their proposals to construct buildings as per their requirement. Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu is keen to extend help to backward classes, he said and added that a special meeting would be held with BC legislators to identify the priorities.
The Minister pointed out that the government was providing scholarships and other benefits to the poorer sections among the upper castes. Several corporations have been formed for the benefit of poorer sections among the upper castes, he said and added that the government also introduced new schemes for higher education and foreign education.
MLA Gollapalli Surya Rao raised the issue in the House and stressed the need of spending funds as per the allocations. He wondered as to why the funds allocated for backward sections were not being spent as per the plans.
Especially, the SCs and STs were still facing several challenges in the society, he said and added that the government should extend help to them by totally spending the allocations made for them in the Budget.
MLA P Govind requested the government to increase cosmetic charges for inmates of BC welfare hotels. He asked the government to construct BC Bhavans across the State.
