Ishtiyaq Ahmad
Srinagar Sep 14 : Pitching for greater transparency, the Jammu and Kashmir government has directed the officials to ensure proper utilization of the funds to ensure all round development of the Panchayats.
It has been made mandatory to ensure that the funds in the account of the Halqa Panchayat are properly used without any lapses.
An official quoted government’s directives to various departments said that the funds balance available in these Halqa Panchayat accounts prior to the constituted Panchayats or appointment of administrators are in order and every transaction in the said Halqa Panchayat account accounts is as per the financial rules.
“The district Panchayat officers are enjoined upon that till the formal audit of the accounts is conducted through accounts they will get the details of bank statements of all the Panchayat accounts from the concerned banks from the date of previously audited accounts and check the entries of the transactions,” the official further quoted government’s directives.
There had been complaints in the past that funds meant for Panchayats were not reaching the grassroots. There were also reports about misappropriation of funds while officials had not maintained proper records.
“The government does not want misuse of funds which are meant for development of rural areas,” the official told news agency Kashmir Indepth News Service (KINS).
Sources said officers have been directed to ensure that the transactions are made after proper sanction. They have been directed to bring into the notice of concerned authorities if there is any discrepancy of funds utilization.
There are 4400 Sarpanches and over 35,000 Panches in Jammu and Kashmir. A Panch is given a monthly honorarium of Rs 1000 and Sarpanch 3000 by the government.
Panchayats, in addition to being involved in the selection of eligible beneficiaries for various government welfare schemes. (KINS)
