Opposition criticises UP government over 'financial management'

LUCKNOW: Slamming financial management of Uttar Pradesh government, Opposition parties today questioned the relevance of announcing big schemes when funds allocated to various departments have remained "unutilised".

Initiating a debate on the budget presented for the next fiscal 2015-2016 in the Assembly today, Leader of Opposition Swami Prasad Maurya said "intentions of Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav might be right but work was not being done in accordance with his announcements".

Terming the announcements made in the budget as "wild dreams", Maurya said barring the general administration department, most of the departments have not been able to spend 50 per cent of the budget allocated to them for the present year.

"As most of the allocated funds will be given to the departments... in the last month of the financial year- March... officials will misuse it," Maurya said.

Suresh Kumar Khanna of BJP termed as wrong claims of the state government that state's growth rate was more than the average growth rate of the country stressing that while that of the Centre was seven per cent, the state's stood at five per cent.

Terming the government as anti-poor, he said there is nothing in the budget for food security scheme and creating more job opportunities.

Pradip Mathur (Congress) alleged that government has betrayed cane farmers.

Dalbir Singh (RLD) demanded announcement of a scheme after Chaudahry Charan Singh besides enhancing area development fund of legislators from the present Rs 1.5 crore to Rs 3 crore.