Telangana not using Central funds fully, says Union Minister

While the Telangana government leaders are contesting the Central Ministers assertion that the Centre had so far given Rs 90,000 crore to the State, whatever the correct figure, even the funds that have been given so far have not been used fully. Figures prove this in regard to health programmes. In fact, Central Health Minister J.P. Nadda had to write a letter, pleading with the State government to first spend the Central funds already received. `Kindly use the funds already released,' he pleaded. Under the National Health Mission, the Telangana government receives Rs 1000 crore annually. The State government is, however, not showing much interest to utilise the funds that have to be used in the ratio of 60:40, the smaller figure being that of the State. Under the plan funds released last year, Rs 438 crore had not been utilised. Because the State was not using the funds fully, the Finance Department stopped the release of Rs 143 crore under the plan.