Central fund use: Meghalaya ranks lowest, Tripura tops list

NEW DELHI, April 25 ? Meghalaya ranked lowest in utilisation of funds from the Centre?s non-lapsable Central pool of resources scheme for the speedy development of the north-eastern region while Tripura topped the list for maximum per capital utilisation of the allocated money, reports PTI. ?The largest amount of Rs 293.16 crore was released for various projects in Assam during the last four financial years allowed by Rs 215.29 crore for Tripura.

The lowest release of Rs 66.81 crore was for Meghalaya due to poor utilisation of funds and lack of viable project proposals,? PD Shenoy, secretary in the department of development of North-eastern region told reporters here. He said Tripura topped in per capita utilisation of the funds. The Central pool, which became operational in the financial year 1998-99, comprises unspent amounts from 10 per cent of the budget of Union Ministries and Departments earmarked for the North-east and Sikkim to support developmental projects and schemes benefitting the North-east.

Shenoy said the department would engage engineers from outside the region on a contract basis to inspect projects of non-lapsable pool and North Eastern Council ?with a view to prevent misutilisation of funds.? The department has also decided to sponsor training in project formulation, utilisation and evaluation for officers of the North-east at the Indian Institute of Management, Calcutta.