Telangana Deputy Chief Minister Bhatti Vikramarka has directed state departments to accelerate the utilisation of funds allocated under the SC and ST Progress Sub-Plan, after a department-wise review found gaps in expenditure, according to the Finance Department. The direction covers funds intended for the welfare, social advancement and economic empowerment of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes.
Bhatti issued the instructions during a review meeting with senior Finance Department officials at the Dr BR Ambedkar Telangana State Secretariat on Monday. The meeting examined departmental budget allocations, expenditure incurred so far and the implementation of the SC and ST Progress Sub-Plan.
The Deputy Chief Minister instructed departments to spend the earmarked funds in line with budgetary allocations and their intended objectives. He also directed officials to ensure that funds allocated on a population basis are used efficiently and that special SC and ST budget heads are treated with the same implementation priority as general budget heads.
Officials have been asked to identify gaps in expenditure and take immediate corrective measures. The Finance Department will convene special reviews with departments reporting significant shortfalls in utilisation, beginning with those requiring priority attention.
The first round of discussions will include the Agriculture, Medical and Health, Energy, Municipal Administration, Panchayat Raj, Social Welfare, Industries and Tribal Welfare departments. Other departments will be reviewed subsequently, the report said.
Each department is expected to provide details of the funds allocated, the expenditure incurred and the steps required to use the remaining balance effectively. The process places responsibility on departmental officials to link budget releases with implementation of the programmes for which the funds were earmarked.
The review also connects utilisation of welfare allocations with the state’s wider financial management. Bhatti directed Finance Department officials to prepare a comprehensive action plan covering financial reforms, resource mobilisation and debt restructuring. He asked officials to identify additional sources of revenue while ensuring that budget formulation reflects the state’s actual financial position.
The Deputy Chief Minister emphasised expenditure control, efficient use of available resources and the availability of funds for development programmes. He also called for financial decisions to account for future requirements and support sustainable economic growth.
As part of the proposed financial-management exercise, officials were asked to consider the services of experienced consultants and financial experts and to assess relevant recommendations while preparing plans for the state’s future needs.
The meeting further stressed continuous monitoring of the relationship between budgetary allocations, expenditure and the implementation of development programmes. The government has not disclosed department-wise allocation or expenditure figures in the supplied report. The next step is the planned review of departments with significant utilisation gaps and the preparation of a report on corrective measures.
