CPI(M) State executive member V. Srinivasa Rao has demanded that the State government immediately release the funds sanctioned by the 14th and 15th Finance Commissions to the gram panchayats (GPs) and mandal praja parishads (MPPs).
In a press release, Mr. Srinivasa Rao said local bodies were struggling to create basic infrastructure because of the fund crunch and the government kept its dues pending for which it was accountable.
The GPs and MPPs were not in a position to even pay salaries to their employees. Unfortunately, the government was using whatever money the GPs and MPPs have at their disposal, he alleged.
Mr. Srinivasa Rao said a sum of ₹1,245 crore was sanctioned by the 14th and 15th Finance Commissions, but the money was not transferred to the GPs and MPPs.
Instead, the State government grabbed about ₹1,000 crore from the fund-starved local bodies. This was against the 73rd and 74th Constitutional amendments, he said.
