The school education department has failed to utilise Rs 400 crore funds under a centrally sponsored scheme, Samagra Shikhsha, resulting in delay in completion of several projects.
An official said the funds were released by Union ministryof human resource development (MHRD) during the past several years undervarious components including construction of school buildings, additionalclassrooms. A portion of the funding was also meant for several mega projectsapproved for infrastructural up gradation.
The official said the funds released for construction ofschool buildings has remained unspent as the department did not start any workowing to non-availability of land.
“Now, these projects face cost escalation which has causedfurther delay in execution,” the official said.
He said major portion of funds was approved for civil works.”After remaining unattended, the funds were surrendered to government of Indiaand were later approved afresh with a revised cost. But the funding which wasreleased again remain unutilized,” the official said.
The official said the funds remained unutilized under othercomponents of the scheme as well. “We have calculated the unspent funds whichsums up to Rs 400 crore,” the official said.
Principal secretary school education, Asgar Hassan Samoonconfirmed that Rs 400 crore were lying unspent.
He said the state project director Samagra has beeninstructed to expedite expenditure on ground within four weeks.
He said Rs 870 crore released by the ministry last year waslying with finance department. “State project director has been instructed tofollow up release of the funds,” he said.