JK Depts fail to submit UCs to GoI

Srinagar, Mar 31: The non-submission of utilization certificates (UCs) by various departments in J&K has been impacting the flow of funds from the Government of India to the state, thus hampering public works.

The departmental heads have been directed to submit UCs to the government for transparency in utilization of funds of various developmental works.

However, it has been found that various departments have not submitted the UCs for various schemes to the government.

As per a recent order of the Finance Department, some departments either avoid follow-up or are indifferent towards submission of these certificates to the concerned ministries in Government of India, which “adversely impacts flow of funds and thus hampers the development of the state”.

The order reads: “Centrally sponsored schemes play a pivotal role in achieving desired levels of development in the state, therefore, important to ensure expeditious implementation of such projects, which necessitates timely submission of UCs and timely achievement of physical and financial milestones.”

The government has directed the departments to ensure “regular follow-up” with the concerned ministries in government of India for accessing funds under centrally sponsored schemes and ensure timely submission of UCs.

An official of the Finance Department said that it was mandatory for departments to submit UCs so that the government knows where the money has been utilised.

“But various departments are not submitting utilization certificates to the concerned ministry. The Centre has already stopped the funds to various schemes,” the official said.

According to a government circular issued to departments last year, it has been observed that various administrative departments do not fully utilize the funds authorized under different centrally sponsored schemes during the currency of a particular financial year and often seek “revalidation of the funds even upto the fag end of the next financial year”.

“All the administrative departments shall provide the details of allocation under different centrally sponsored schemes to the Finance Department. They shall also share with the Finance department the pending proposals/claims with concerned Union ministry, if any, during the currency of the current financial year to facilitate follow up action, if required, by the Finance Department,” read one of the circulars.