Unable to spend money

Unbelievable but true. The North-Eastern states, where money pours literally, are unable to spend the money given to them. Only 64.08 per cent of the central allocation for rural development was used. Who will believe now that the region   misuses funds and has rampant corruption! Last year the Assam, Manipur, Mizoram and Nagaland were unable to claim their central share in full. Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Meghalaya and Tripura have failed to achieve a utilisation of 64 per cent like their neighbours.

This year, Rural Development Ministry has allocated Rs 929.56 crore under different schemes excluding PMGSY. It released Rs 201.25 crore released. North Eastern States have spent a niggardly 17.07 percent - Rs 76.28 crore so far.

Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya and Tripura have are denied Indira Awaas Yojana (IAY) funds. There are a variety of reasons. For instance, Assam was the looser as it failed to release its own share under the scheme. There are audit objections in respect of Tripura and Meghalaya. The charge against Manipour is non-receipt of audit report (Manipur).