Date:18/02/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/02/18/stories/2008021852610300.htm

Andhra Pradesh

Non-utilisation of funds irks Minister

Special Correspondent

CHIRALA: Finance Minister K. Rosaiah has expressed unhappiness over the poor performance of Chirala municipality in spending the funds released to it for different schemes.

Speaking to newspersons here on Sunday, Mr. Rosaiah said that he had used his influence and got Rs. 30.5 crores released for the municipality for various development activities. But the municipality could complete only works worth Rs. 10 crores till now while other works worth Rs. 10 crores are under progress.

The council could not take up works for the remaining Rs. 10 crores till now.

The officials would have no alternative but return the unspent amount to the government even as the town was crying for development.

When some councillors approached him for funds for improvement of drainage system in the town, he expressed his resentment.

Raising his hands in utter dismay, he told them to improve their performance first before asking for more funds. He pointed out that Chirala municipality returned Rs. 1 crore last year too.

He said that the Congress government was doing its best for welfare of handloom weavers.

All weavers above 50 years of age were sanctioned old-age pension.