West Bengal Pushes Gram Panchayats to Utilize Unspent Funds

The West Bengal government has instructed gram panchayats to use unspent funds allocated by the Centre within the current fiscal year by August 15. Only 27% of the allocated Rs 3,123 crore has been spent so far, impacting infrastructure projects such as tubewells and rural roads.

The West Bengal government on Monday ordered gram panchayats to utilize the unspent funds allocated by the Centre by August 15, according to an official statement. The Panchayat Department has also directed the gram panchayats to award tenders for necessary rural projects within the next 15 days, the official added.

Based on the 15th Finance Commission's recommendations, the Centre has allocated Rs 3,123 crore to the state for the 2024-25 fiscal year, the official noted.

'Only 27 per cent of the allocated funds have been used by July 2. The general elections this year also affected the expenditure,' the official told PTI, adding that 103 blocks have lagged significantly. The funds are intended for various infrastructural works including the installation of tubewells and the construction and renovation of rural roads.

(With inputs from agencies.)