Union Minister for Social Justice and Empowerment Mukul Wasnik today made a clarion call for the north-eastern states to fully utilise all central schemes under the ministry for the welfare of the deprived section of people in the region.

The Union Minister expressed concern at the poor implementation of Central funds made available under the Social Justice and Empowerment ministry meant for the uplift of the deprived lot in the society here.

Stating that the average expenditure of the ministry is between 97-99 per cent, Wasnik said, the expenditure in the north east hovers a little over 50 per cent which the states here have to “address urgently”.

Expenditure in the northeast during 2008-09 was 58.44 per cent, during 09-10 it was 74.12 per cent, in 2010-11 the expenditure was only 42.88 per cent, while during 2011-12 fiscal year the expenditure was only 55 per cent”, Wasnik said.

“The figures are disturbing and indicates that we have to pull ourselves up and ensure that all the shortcomings are addressed and the gaps are plugged”, he said.

Wasnik was addressing a one-day conference of state ministers for Welfare/Social Justice department of all north eastern states, including Sikkim.

source: http://www.Business-Standard.com / Home> General News / by Press Trust of India / Shillong, May 29th, 2012