Mysore/Mysuru: Bemoaning that Rs.58 crore out of the Legislators Local Area Development Fund has remained unspent in the district, Minister for Youth Empowerment and Sports, Planning, Programme Monitoring and Statistics K.C. Narayanagowda questioned the officials on why Rs. 23 crore under Special Component Plan (SCP) and Rs. 16 crore under Tribal Sub Plan (TSP) has remained unspent.

Speaking at the progress review meeting of his Department at the Deputy Commissioner’s office here yesterday, Narayanagowda cautioned that the unspent Rs.23 crore SCP fund and Rs.16 crore TSP fund will have to be reallocated to other districts if Mysuru district authorities fail to utilise it for developmental purposes.

Stating that people in rural areas have been complaining about improper execution of development works, he regretted that the authorities had failed in proper planning and spending of funds for civil infrastructure development.

The officials attributed the delay in the execution of works to closure of shops due to lockdown, to which Narayanagowda asked them not to give excuses as lockdown has been relaxed. 

He also directed the officials to make regular visits to spots where works are being carried out and check the pace and quality of works.

Continuing, Narayanagowda said that Deputy Commissioner Dr. Bagadi Gautham has been entrusted with complete powers for utilisation of Legislators Local Area Development Funds. Praising the DC for judicious utilisation  of funds for COVID control measures, he said that the DC has  set in motion  various developmental works worth Rs.9 crore so far.

Referring to crop insurance, the Minister said that a target of 12,000 registration has been set in the district for crop insurance for the year 2021-22 and so far 3,000 farmers have registered. He appealed the farmers to get registered for crop insurance, which will be a boon for them in case of failure of monsoon.

DC Dr. Bagadi Gautham asked the officials to utilise at least 25 percent of Legislators Local Area Development Fund in a week. He also asked them to submit documents in support of the funds spent within July 7.

Commissioner for Sports H.N.Gopalakrishna, ZP CEO A.M.Yogesh, Additional DC Dr. B.S. Manjunathaswamy, Assistant Director of Sports Omprakash and other officials were present.