While the State Government is harping on development of road infrastructure in rural areas, spending in rural development sector has gone down drastically, which is a major cause of concern for the officials.
The latest expenditure report prepared by the Department of Finance says that up to August 31, 2018, the Department of Rural Development (DoRD) has spent Rs 1,340 crore, which is less than Rs 1,000 crore spent during corresponding period of 2017.
By August 31, 2017, the DoRD had spent Rs 2,366 crore for which the State Government could accelerate completion 7,000 km road under the PMGSY. And Odisha topped the list in the country making highest length of the PMGSY roads getting pat on its back from the Union Ministry of Rural Development.
This year there is a target of completing 8,000 km road and with such a poor spending, it is unlikely to be achieved, feel officials.
The Department of Works has spent Rs 1, 332 crore by August 31, 2018, which is less 14 per cent. The Department of Water Resources (DoWR) has also lessened its speed of spending with an expenditure of Rs 3,004 crore by August 31, 2018.
While the DoWR had spent Rs 4,077 crore by August 31, 2017, it has also spent Rs 1,000 crore less as compared to last year, said an officer adding that this year Budget has gone up by more than Rs 10,000 crore, which is an all time high.
However, the Department of Housing and Urban Development (DoHUD) has topped in spending in
infrastructure sector with over 38 per cent.
The DoHUD over the years has improved its spending capacity and with a budget of Rs 5,181 crore, it has spent Rs 1, 890 crore by August 31.
Similarly, given the infrastructure need for the World Men’s Cup Hockey, spending by the Sports and Youth Affairs has topped the list of all the departments and organisations with a spending of a whopping 714 per cent in expenditure, which is an all time high record.
Latest expenditure statement of the State Government reveals that by August 31, 2018, overall spending by all the development departments was Rs 36,835.48 crore, which has registered an increase of 12 per cent.
And, the Sports and Youth Affairs is on the top as it has already spent Rs 193 crore out of Rs 341 crore.
Earlier, the sports sector was never a priority area and now, it gets top attention. It received Rs 200 crore extra in 2018-19.