Reduction in funds hinders rural development

The state government has reduced the funds for various schemes of the Zilla Parishad (ZP) by 67 per cent. Therefore, as the ZP will get less than Rs 50 crore from the sanctioned funds of Rs 155 crore for 2020-21, rural development will be hampered. ZP vice president L G Gaikwad quizzed that while there is a crisis on livestock in the district, the question arises as to how to take preventive measures in the meager Rs 7 lakh fund.

The district planning committee will meet on Friday. Grants of Rs 155 crore were sanctioned to various departments of ZP for 2020-21. None of the funds were received other than the health emergency fund. Work has been stalled for the past six months due to the lockdown. The administration is preparing to hold the general body meeting of ZP online.

However, the members opposed the online meet stating that the issues are not resolved due to lack of understanding and seriousness of the issues. Therefore, instead of online, a demand has been made to the divisional commissioner and district collector to hold a meeting following social distancing, Gaikwad said.

Due to reduction of funds and withholding of funds for various schemes including agriculture and animal husbandry the ongoing works have been disrupted. He also demanded to raise the issue in the district planning meeting and also to get more time in the meeting for the ZP as many works of the village panchayats have been delayed.