Govt releases Rs 290 crore for panchayat works

Deepender Deswal

Tribune News Service

Hisar, July 15

The state government has released a grant of Rs 290 crore for development works at the gram panchayat level. Sources said the Additional Chief Secretary, Development and Panchayats Department, had written to the Director General of the deparment on July 6, informing about the approval for the release of the first installment of the general basic grant under the 14th finance commission as grant in aid during the current financial year.

The letter also directed that the grant should be spent by the local bodies on providing basic services like water supply, sanitation, sewerage and solid waste management. The panchayats had been directed to prepare a development plan — Hamari Yojna, Hamara Vikas — and spend the funds accordingly.

Rajesh Khoth, District Development and Panchayat Officer, said the grant had been credited in the bank accounts of the village panchayats.

Subhash Chander, sarpanch of Mandi Adampur village of the district, confirmed receiving a grant of Rs 27 lakh. “The panchayat has to maintain streets and lay a proper sewerage system, but the concerned departments are not issuing the NOC. It is very frustrating for us.”