Deputy CM Stresses Timely Use of SC, ST Sub Plan Funds
Hyderabad: Deputy Chief Minister Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka has emphasized the importance of using funds allocated under the SC, ST Sub Plan within the given time frame. He held a review meeting with senior officials from various departments at the Secretariat on Friday to discuss the implementation of the Sub Plan.
During the meeting, Bhatti instructed officials to disclose monthly details of how each department is spending funds under the Sub Plan Act. He urged them to ensure that the funds are used effectively and stressed that the expenditure should result in increased income for SC and ST communities and help create assets for their long-term benefit.
The Deputy CM directed officials to come prepared with detailed reports on how Sub Plan funds have been spent and the benefits achieved for the communities in a meeting scheduled for January 23. He also questioned departments that had not utilized funds as per their quota, asking them to explain their plans for spending the remaining amounts in the next two months.
Officials presented a report from the Centre for Economic and Social Studies (CESS), highlighting how the SC, ST Sub Plan has been implemented across different departments over the past eight years. Bhatti inquired about the challenges identified in the CESS report and the steps taken by departments to address those issues.
The Deputy CM instructed CESS officers to regularly submit their reports to the Finance and Planning Department and hold frequent meetings with its officials. He also directed the Principal Secretaries of SC and ST departments to collaborate with their counterparts in other departments to create effective plans for utilizing Sub Plan funds during the current financial year.
