Telangana Dy CM Bhatti Directs Departments to Speed Up SC, ST Sub-Plan Fund Utilisation
Hyderabad, Oct 19 (TNT): Telangana Deputy Chief Minister Bhatti Vikramarka on Monday directed officials to expedite the utilisation of funds allocated under the SC and ST Sub-Plans and take immediate corrective measures in departments lagging behind in expenditure.
He also called for a comprehensive action plan to strengthen the state’s finances through revenue mobilisation, financial reforms and debt restructuring.
Reviewing department-wise budget allocations and expenditure with senior Finance Department officials at the Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Telangana State Secretariat, Bhatti stressed that funds earmarked for the welfare and development of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes must be utilised effectively in accordance with budgetary allocations and statutory provisions.
He directed the Finance Department to conduct special reviews with departments reporting significant gaps in expenditure and convene meetings with the concerned secretaries shortly. Agriculture, Medical and Health, Energy, Municipal Administration, Panchayat Raj, Social Welfare, Industries and Tribal Welfare departments will be covered in the initial review, followed by other departments.
He instructed officials to prepare a comprehensive report detailing department-wise allocations, expenditure incurred and measures required to ensure effective utilisation of the remaining funds.
He emphasised that there should be no delay in spending funds earmarked for the social advancement and economic empowerment of SC and ST communities.
The Deputy Chief Minister also called for identifying additional sources of revenue, optimising available resources and exercising expenditure control in line with the state’s financial position.
He stressed that budget formulation should take actual resource availability into account while ensuring adequate funding for development programmes.
During the meeting, he reviewed the financial reforms being undertaken by the Finance Department and discussed strategies for revenue mobilisation and debt restructuring.
He underscored the need for long-term financial planning to maintain fiscal stability and support sustainable economic growth.
Bhatti suggested engaging experienced consultants and financial experts to adopt best practices in financial management.
He also called for continuous monitoring and better coordination between budgetary allocations, expenditure and the implementation of development programmes.
Finance and Planning Secretary Gaurav Uppal, Finance Special Secretary Sikta Patnaik and other senior Finance Department officials attended the meeting.
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