Bidar: The State Government has defended its action of providing the lowest grant to the backward district of Bidar while allocating funds as per the 12th Finance Commission report.

Of the Rs. 150 crore given by the Centre to the State Government, Bidar district has got Rs. 2.6 crore, the lowest of grants given to districts. This is even lower than the allocation to the taluk of Kundapur in Udupi district. The Rural Development and Panchayati Raj Department has carried out the allocation on the recommendations of the commission.

"The Government has done no wrong. The allocation is in tune with the rules and regulations of the Finance Commission," leader of the Upper House and Higher Education Minister D.H. Shankaramurthy said in reply to a question in the Legislative Council by member Quazi Arshad Ali. Mr. Shankaramurthy has also invited discussion on the issue in the house.

"Bidar is one of the 100 poorest districts in the country. It was declared a `no-industry district' in 1987. If the Rs. 150 crore received from the Centre was divided among the 27 districts, each district would have got Rs 5.5 crore. However, the State Government has not given even this average amount to Bidar," Mr. Ali told The Hindu . He has urged the Government to change the allocation and provide additional funds.

Mandya district gets the highest amount of Rs. 11.78 crore. Smaller districts such as Udupi, Haveri, Kolar, Shimoga, Tumkur, Dakshina Kannada and Chikmagalur have got more grants than a large district like Gulbarga.

Strict regulations

The Government has also laid down strict regulations for spending the money. The grants will lapse if not spent in the financial year. Zilla panchayats are authorised to spend the money. These bodies have to release money in three instalments for each work taken up. The State Government has banned giving any money to contractors in advance of completing any work. The zilla panchayat has to release money on the recommendations of the general standing committee.

They need to apply for fresh grants after spending 60 per cent of the money. These applications should be accompanied by a Utilisation Certificate and a copy of the audit report of the expenses. The Union Government releases Rs 173.73 crore every year to the State, which is distributed to the Panchayati Raj bodies. The next instalment of Rs. 23.73 crore will be released by the Centre soon, according to sources.

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