Hyderabad: The State Government intensified efforts to recover pending central funds, with Chief Secretary K. Ramakrishna Rao directing senior officials to prepare concrete action plans to secure dues from the Union Government by March-end.
He issued the directions during a high-level review meeting held at the Dr. B. R. Ambedkar Secretariat on Monday. Secretaries and principal secretaries from various departments attended the meeting.
The Chief Secretary said the State must work strictly according to a structured plan to collect pending central funds under Centrally Sponsored Schemes. He stressed that departments should prioritise recovery before the close of the financial year.
Accordingly, he asked officials to focus on dues under the Single Nodal Agency (SNA) funds, 15th Finance Commission grants, and other Central schemes. He further suggested appointing a special officer in Delhi to coordinate with Union ministries and pursue the matter effectively.
Officials informed the meeting that nearly ₹15,000 crore remained due from the Centre to departments including Panchayati Raj, Rural Development, Municipal Administration, Education, Health, and Tribal Welfare. The Chief Secretary directed departments to ensure that these pending central funds were secured and utilised for ongoing and incomplete works across the State.
Strategy to secure pending central funds before March-end
Ramakrishna Rao emphasised that systematic follow-up was essential to recover pending central funds within the stipulated time. Therefore, he instructed departments to maintain close coordination with Central authorities and monitor progress on a regular basis.
He noted that timely release of dues would accelerate developmental activities and clear outstanding liabilities. At the same time, he asked officials to avoid delays in submitting utilisation certificates and other required documentation.
During the meeting, the Chief Secretary also conveyed instructions issued by the Chief Minister regarding a comprehensive 100-day action plan. As per the directions, departments were asked to prepare the plan for implementation between March 2 and June 2.
The proposed 100-day action plan would cover development works across rural and urban areas. Officials were instructed to identify priority works and ensure visible outcomes within the specified timeframe.
He said the action plan should particularly focus on Rural Development, Municipal Administration, Health, and Education departments. These sectors, he observed, directly impacted public welfare and local infrastructure.
The Chief Secretary stated that effective implementation of the plan would assist elected ward members, sarpanches, municipal councillors, corporators, and other public representatives in discharging their responsibilities. Recently concluded Gram Panchayat and Municipal Local Body elections had created new expectations among citizens, he noted.
Linking pending central funds with 100-day action plan
Ramakrishna Rao observed that recovery of pending central funds would significantly support the 100-day action plan. Hence, departments were asked to align fund utilisation with priority development activities.
He suggested that sanitation drives should be taken up on a large scale. Additionally, road repairs in villages and towns must be completed without delay. The Chief Secretary directed officials to ensure adequate drinking water supply, especially in view of the approaching summer season.
Infrastructure gaps in both rural and urban areas were also discussed. Departments were told to propose feasible projects that could be executed within the 100-day period. At the same time, they were advised to prevent duplication and ensure efficient use of resources.
He further instructed that proposals related to the upcoming Cabinet meeting should be submitted by Tuesday. Timely submission, he said, would facilitate early approvals and expedite implementation.
The meeting was attended by Special Chief Secretaries Vikas Raj and C. V. Anand, Chief Secretary to the Chief Minister Seshadri, and Chief Secretaries Sandeep Sultania, Ahmed Nadeem, N. Sridhar and Yogitharana. Secretaries Christina Chongtu, T. K. Sridevi, Stephen Ravindra and other senior officials also participated.
The Chief Secretary reiterated that departments must act in coordination to secure pending central funds and implement development works within the defined timeline. He underlined that accountability and regular monitoring would remain crucial in the coming weeks.