Officials may face action over unspent Swachh Bharat funds in Haryana

Several senior officials in the Urban Local Bodies Department could face action as Swachh Bharat Mission (SBM) funds remain unutilised. Sources said a budget meeting took place on February 5 under the chairmanship of CM Nayab Singh Saini, during which the issue of unspent funds arose and officials could not explain the underutilisation.

The sources said the file for action had been sent to Urban Local Bodies Minister Vipul Goel, who would forward it to Saini. Goel said action would be taken against those found guilty.

Chargesheet could be issued, but no final action had been taken yet, a senior official confirmed.

Meanwhile, an important meeting was held today to strengthen sanitation in urban areas, improve civic amenities, and review the progress of various Central and state government schemes. Officials from municipalities across the state participated and presented information on ongoing work in their respective areas.

The meeting was chaired by Dr Saket Kumar, Additional Principal Secretary to the CM and Commissioner and Secretary of the Urban Local Bodies Department. Ashok Kumar Meena, Director General of Urban Local Bodies and Secretary of the Department, was also present.

Dr Kumar told the officials that no negligence would be tolerated in works related to sanitation, solid waste management, and civic amenities, and that all works must be completed within the stipulated timeframe.

Reviewing the status of road mapping under the Mhari Sadak Yojana, officials were instructed to complete timely surveys and digital mapping of roads in all urban areas.

The suspension of a Junior Engineer of the Shahabad Municipality was ordered, besides the chargesheeting of the secretary for failing to conduct surveys under the yojana.

Instructing officials, it was stated that all officers should work in collaborative coordination to achieve better results. The administration's priority was to ensure that the benefits of all schemes reached the last person.