State govt. diverting 15th Finance Commission funds: Bandi Sanjay
Union Minister Bandi Sanjay has accused the Telangana government of diverting 15th Finance Commission funds intended for development projects toward operational costs like electricity bills and salaries. He warned that the central government may bypass the state and transfer funds directly to gram panchayats if the practice continues.
Why it matters
The dispute highlights ongoing tensions between central and state governments regarding the management and transparency of federal development grants.
Union Minister of State for Home Affairs Bandi Sanjay on Friday alleged that the Telangana government was diverting the 15th Finance Commission funds meant for development works to pay electricity bills and staff salaries.
Calling it a ‘violation’ of the norms, he alleged that village sarpanches were being pressured over the issue.
Speaking after laying the foundation stone for the Rs 1.32-crore Kargil Lake restoration works under the AMRUT 2.0 scheme in Sircilla, Mr. Sanjay said that he would take up the matter with the Central government if the practice continued. “If necessary, the Finance Commission grants will be transferred directly to the bank accounts of gram panchayats,” he said.
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