Minority Welfare & Development Department Incompetent

GUWAHATI: Minority area development projects in Assam have been stuck in a cash flow problem arising out of non-submission of utilization certificates by Dispur. Assam has the dubious distinction of leading the nation on non-submission of utilization certificates (UCs) in PMJVK projects.

Dispur is yet to submit utilization certificates of Rs 426.96 crore of PMJVK (Pradhan Mantri Jan Vikash Karyakram), formerly known as MsDP (Multi-sectoral Development Programme), to the Union Ministry of Minority under the 12th Five Year Plan from 2012-2017.

Talking to this reporter, an official in the Welfare of Minority and Development Department, Assam said: “The Union ministry approved Rs 616. 74 crore to the Welfare of Minority and Development Department, Assam during the 12th Plan period. We’ve completed 2,424 of the 13,122 projects taken up. While as many as 5,716 of the projects have been under progress, 4,982 other projects have not been started as yet during the 12th Plan period. As many as 118 minority-concentrated blocks in 19 districts of the State have such projects.”

What is dampening is that that PMJVK funds from the Centre to Assam has been slowed down due to non-submission of utilization certificates for the funds released. Central funds for minority area development are ready to be pumped in to the State but those at the helm of affairs in Assam cannot let the fund flow continue due to their failure to submit utilization certificates. The Union ministry has written several times to Assam for early liquidation of pending utilization certificates, but to no avail. The issue was discussed at the zonal conference of the Ministry of Minority at Guwahati. However, even now the department has not been able to liquidate the pending utilization certificates as yet.

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