HYDERABAD: Deputy Chief Minister Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka on Monday directed officials to accelerate the full utilisation of SC/ST Sub-Plan funds allocated in the Budget. Bhatti said there should be no delays in the using funds earmarked for the welfare and the socio-economic empowerment of SC and ST communities.“The expenditures must be in line with the allocations, and special attention should be paid to departments lagging behind on this front. All the concerned departments must act responsibly to ensure that the allocated funds are spent in accordance with the set targets,” he said at a review meeting with senior finance officials here.
Bhatti directed officials to conduct detailed reviews with departments lagging behind in implementing the sub-plan, starting with agriculture, health, energy, municipal administration, panchayat raj, social welfare, industries, and tribal welfare, which, he said, were currently showing the largest gaps in spending. These discussions should examine the allocated funds, expenditure incurred to date, and the necessary steps to utilize the remaining balance.
The Deputy Chief Minister also directed officials to strengthen the state’s financial position by ensuring efficient use of available resources and identifying additional avenues for revenue generation. While Budget formulation should take into account ground realities with a focus on expenditure control and optimal utilization of funds, robust plans must be devised to ensure the state’s fiscal management aligns with long-term interests, and that financial decisions should be made with future requirements in mind, Vikramarka said.
The Deputy Chief Minister suggested utilising the services of experienced consultants and financial experts to adopt best practices in financial management which can help in formulating plans suited to future requirements.