BRGF to be utilized properly

Bhubaneswar: The Backward Region Grant Fund (BRGF) will be spent in joint coordination of three departments – Panchayati Raj, Planning & Coordination and Urban Development. It was informed at a workshop organised by Panchayati Raj department here over utilisation of Central fund.

The time schedule for the plan outlay for 2015-16 has been fixed, Panchayati Raj minister Arun Sahu said. The district officials have been directed to submit report about the projects to the State government by February 15 and the State would appraise the Centre by April 15, the minister added.

The BRGF scheme has been functioning since 2006-07 in a bid to eliminate regional disparity and inequality. As many as 250 districts across the nation have been included in the scheme among which Odisha has 20.

The Centre is sanctioning Rs 400 cr every year to Odisha, but the funds remain unspent as the State fails to give utilisation certificate on time.