BJP claims Bihar couldn't spend Central funds for 'micro irrigation'

PATNA: Bihar BJP chief Mangal Pandey today criticised Nitish Kumar-led Grand Secular Alliance government for its alleged failure to utilise funds meant or 'micro irrigation' scheme of the Central government.

"The difference between the state government's deeds and words could be gauged from the fact that the Central government allocated Rs 49 crore to the state government under micro irrigation scheme in 2014-15 but it (state) could spend merely Rs 3 crore against Rs 35 crore which the Centre had released for the purpose," Pandey claimed.

Similarly, as per the report available till February 15 this year, the state government could not spend a single penny out of Rs 10 crore which was released by the Centre for micro-irrigation scheme in 2015-16, the BJP chief claimed adding that Centre had allocated Rs 20 crore to the state government for the purpose.

The Central government had made a provision of Rs 1550 crore for micro-irrigation scheme across the country in 2015-16, Pandey said adding that the scheme witnessed an allocation of Rs 2340 crore in 2016-17 which is a quantum jump of 51 per cent, next fiscal.

But the biggest irony is that the state government has not been able to spend the funds allocated for micro irrigation scheme, thus compromising with development and interest of the state and its farmers, he claimed.