Guwahati, Feb. 8: The state governments of the Northeast have failed to spend Rs 23 crore allocated over the past year under various schemes by the Union ministry of social justice and empowerment.
However, many schemes require matching contributions from the state governments, who are not in a position to disburse funds due to financial stringency.
Joint secretary in the ministry Rajwant Sandhu disclosed here today that of the allotted Rs 63 crore for the Northeast, the governments have utilised only Rs 40 crore. She said utilisation of funds in the current year is not very healthy either.
?This is due to ignorance of the ministry?s schemes in the region and non-submission of projects,? she said. The ministry would organise exhibitions and seminars for creating awareness about its programmes.
As part of its awareness drive, the three-day ?Access 2003? is being organised by the ministry from tomorrow in the Assam capital for displaying traditional and new assistance devices for the disabled. Equipment developed under the ministry of science and technology, especially plastic aspheric lenses and motorised wheelchair, would be displayed too.
The exhibition will be held at the Gauhati Medical College and Hospital ground, where a rehabilitation camp is being organised for free clinical assessment of disabled persons and distribution of assistance devices on a limited scale.
Sandhu said the visitors would also get information about various schemes, facilities and concession for disabled persons.
The ministry would assist disabled persons under a new scheme in purchasing and fitting of aids and appliances. The implementing agencies are being provided with grants-in-aid for purchase, fabrication and distribution of the materials.