On his maiden visit to the State, Union Minister for Social Justice and Empowerment Thaawar Chand Gehlot today endowed people of Jharkhand with several gifts, including a composite regional centre in Ranchi for beneficiaries of the government schemes. The Minister though said that due to lack of utilization of the Central funds by the state government the funds for the present financial year have been stopped.
Gehlot, who is on a two-day tour of the State to inaugurate Composite programme on schemes of the ministry for persons belonging to Scheduled Castes, Cleanliness Workers, Backward Classes & persons with disabilities, was speaking at an event at Red Cross Society building here on Saturday.
“Many of the welfare schemes formulated by the Central government are made on the basis of proposals sent by the state governments. Here, we have already released funds for several schemes for the state. But we have not been able to release the funds of this financial year as the state government is yet to furnish utilization certificates,” the Union Minister said.
“In 4-5 days Model Code of Conduct may get imposed (As Assembly poll dates are likely to be announced) and then we will not be able to release the funds. So, by November we expect to hold meetings with the state and central government officials to chart out a plan for further works of the departments,” he added.
The minister was of the opinion that the state government has been quite sluggish in utilising the Central funds and it should make efficient use of the funds to ensure that the schemes meant for the needy reaches the real beneficiaries.
While Gehlot and his cabinet colleague MoS for Social Justice and Empowerment Sudarshan Bhagat distributed tricycles, hearing aids and other machines and equipment among kids and people with disabilities, the Minister announced setting up of a Composite Regional Centre of the Ministry at Ranchi worth Rs 10 crores. Deputy Commissioner of Ranchi Vinay Chaubey assured to find five acres of land for the purpose.
The Minister also flagged off a Social Justice Chariot on the occasion and said that the ministry was committed to the welfare of the weaker sections of society, especially those living in the far flung areas of states like Jharkhand.
Interestingly, no minister of Jharkhand government was present during the programme of the Union Minister. The Union Minister was accompanied by MoS Sudarshan Bhagat, Ranchi MP Ram Tahal Chaudhary and Ranchi MlA CP Singh. Sources said that the state ministers were denying any invitation from the ministry, while the authorities from the ministry refused the state ministers’ argument stating that they were properly invited.
The Union Minister will attend a programme in Gumla district on Sunday.
