Many centrally-sponsored schemes face fund crunch

Many centrally-sponsored schemes in Uttar Pradesh are facing implementation challenges due to delays in fund disbursement following the introduction of a new central payment system called SNA-Sparsh, people in the know of things said.

- Brajendra K Parashar

LUCKNOW:

The Swachh Bharat Mission (Rural) is one such scheme that is facing an acute crunch of funds, with authorities bringing the concerns to the central government and demanding the release of early funds to keep the works under floating.

"It is true our Swachh Bharat Mission (Rural) is facing a funds crunch for implementation for quite some time due to a change in the system of transfer of funds for centrally-sponsored schemes. We are regularly urging the central government authorities to release some funds," mission director Raj Kumar said when contacted over the phone.

In a letter dated early this week, he urged the Centre to expedite the release of the first tranche of funds under the new system. The letter highlights that only about Rs 13-14 crore remains in the state's SNA (single nodal account), creating operational difficulties for this crucial scheme.