THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The state government has embarked on a set of
remedial measures to salvage at least some projects under plan fund for
the local bodies in the state in the wake of dip in utilization
percentage.

The government has offered a solace for the local bodies which are on
the verge of getting their funds lapsed owing to nil utilization by
March 31. As per the decision of the local selfgovernment department,
civic bodies can get their projects for the year 2017-18 approved by
district planning committee (DPC) by March 31. If they manage to do so,
such projects could be carried over to the next fiscal, thereby
preventing lapse of funds.

“It is true that fund utilization was difficult for local bodies owing
to many factors. We have given an opportunity to save funds in such a
way that once the DPC approval is received, projects could be carried
over. The finance department will issue an order on this regard within a
week,” said K T Jaleel.

This will also offer an added advantage for local bodies. With the DPC
approving projects before March, local bodies would be able to start
implementation by April. “Usually this process starts only by June or in
some cases it gets even extended.Now, implementation of pro jects could
start off in April itself which would en sure that we would be able to
cover al most all projects well before March, 2018,” said V K Prasanth, mayor, Thiruvanan thapuram corpora tion.

Finance minis ter T M Thomas Isaac
recently told the assembly that the local bodies that failed to
complete their projects in time would be able to carry over the plan
fund to next financial year.

“The only condition is that the local bodies should have commenced the
projects already . The funds of the projects that are yet to begin will
be lapsed,” said Isaac while replying query on fund utilisation in local bodies.