Jammu, April 2, KNT: Bharatiya Janata Party legislator Balwant Singh Mankotia on Thursday alleged a scam involving Rs 1,500 crore during the ongoing Jammu and Kashmir Assembly session, questioning the utilization of funds provided by the Government of India.
Speaking to reporters outside the Assembly, Mankotia said the funds were released under various central schemes but the mandatory utilisation certificates had not been submitted within the stipulated timeframe.
Under government norms, utilisation certificates are required to be furnished within 18 months of fund release, confirming that the money has been spent for the intended purpose.
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The issue assumes significance as delays or absence of such certificates can raise concerns over financial accountability and impact future fund allocations from the Centre to states and Union Territories.
Mankotia said more than 18 months had passed in several cases, but there was no clarity on how the funds were used.
“The Government of India sends money under different schemes. The government has to provide the utilisation certificate within 18 months. More than 18 months have passed, but no certificates have been provided or explained where this money was utilised,” he said.
He further questioned whether the funds had been spent at all.
“Nobody knows where this money went and whether it was spent or not. If it has not been spent, why has it not been returned to the Centre,” Mankotia added.
The BJP legislator termed the issue a “big scam” and called for a time-bound investigation to establish accountability.
Responding to the matter in the Assembly, the Speaker said that an investigation into the issue was already underway, though no detailed timeline or findings were immediately shared. [KNT]
