Non-release of funds from Finance Department: Rs 3,742.56 million meant for 241 Sindh schemes likely to Lapse

Many departments of Sindh government, including Education and Works and Services, have not utilised Rs 3742.56 million meant for 241 development schemes of FY2010-11 due to non-release of funds from the Finance Department.
Sources told Business Recorder here on Tuesday that the Provincial Finance Department had withheld 241 development schemes of financial year (FY) 2010-11 due to non-approval of schemes from competent authorities and forums, expiration of the period of plans of schemes, underrevision, issue of receiving re-appropriation in the preceding year and missing of some important documents regarding the schemes. Due to the said reasons, the Finance Department did not release Rs 3742.56 million funds of those schemes.
After big delay, it could be said that this bulk amount would likely lapse instead of putting to use for the public interest. According to a letter, No FD(Dev-1)1(20) W.H/2010-11, issued by Special Finance Secretary (DEV:SR) Ejaz Ahmed Khan, a few days back, available with Business Recorder, the Finance Department sought advice and help from the Planning and Development Department regarding use of the funds of withheld development schemes for the FY 2010-11.
The letter said that the Finance Department had withheld releases of funds particularly in capital component amounting Rs 3742.56 million against 241 development schemes that are under consideration in the Planning and Development Department for various reasons.
The letter added that the funds had been withheld due to the uncertain status, such as unapproved schemes, expiry of plan period, under revision, issue of receiving re-appropriation in the preceding year, want of documents etc. "Since these matters pertain to your good office, you are requested to kindly resolve these issues and advise finance department regarding future releases of above mentioned development schemes so as to avoid any delay".
The letter did not mention titles of schemes and concerned departments but according to sources privy to P&D 241 schemes pertain to Education, Food, Agriculture, Transport, Industries, Irrigation, Works and Services, Culture, labour, Fisheries, Zakat and Ushr, Social welfare, Women Development and other departments. An official of Planning and Development Department told Business Recorder that this is the last month of FY 2010-11 and 8 days have already passed; so how it is possible that funds of those withheld schemes would be released and used.
He said that this is not the fault of Finance Department but the inefficiency would be mentioned on the part of concerned departments as to why they did not clear the loopholes of schemes and why they did not try to get the funds released on time.
Finance department sources said that the funds amounting to Rs 3742.56 million for 241 development schemes of FY 2010-11 would likely lapse because time is very short and Sindh government is going to table provincial budget on 10th June. This scribe tried to get version of Advisor to Chief Minister Sindh for Planning and Development Dr Kaiser Bengali but he said: "I am busy in a meeting. It is pertinent to point out here that 15 departments of Sindh government including Health, Education, Agriculture, Local government, Works and services, Irrigation, Planning and development, Coal and energy, Culture, Forest and Wildlife, Livestock and Fisheries, Industries, Information Technology, Women development and Antiquities have also utilised 10 percent or below of the amount released for 183 on-going schemes of FY2010-11.