Hyderabad: Deputy Chief Minister Bhatti Vikramarka on Monday directed officials to expedite the utilisation of SC and ST sub-plan funds allocated in the Telangana State Budget. He instructed departments to avoid delays in spending funds earmarked for the welfare and development of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes.
During a review meeting at the Secretariat, Bhatti examined department-wise allocations and expenditure under the SC and ST Special Development Sub-Plan. Senior Finance Department officials attended the meeting, which also covered various aspects of the state’s financial management.
Bhatti directed officials to identify departments that had fallen behind in spending their allocations. Moreover, he called for immediate corrective measures to ensure that expenditure matched approved budgetary provisions. He stressed that departments must use the funds for their designated purposes rather than allow allocations to remain unspent.
SC and ST sub-plan funds must reach intended beneficiaries
Bhatti said the government had earmarked SC and ST sub-plan funds to support the social advancement and economic empowerment of both communities. Therefore, he instructed departments to implement their expenditure plans effectively and ensure that allocations served their intended objectives.
He also emphasised that the government had allocated funds under the Sub-Plan in proportion to the population of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes. Accordingly, officials were directed to ensure that departments utilised these allocations in line with the prescribed budgetary framework.
The Deputy Chief Minister further called for full utilisation of allocations under the special SC and ST budget heads. He said departments must follow statutory provisions and approved budget allocations while spending these funds.
Additionally, he directed officials to give expenditure under the special budget heads the same attention as spending under general budget heads. Departments were instructed to identify shortfalls in expenditure and address them without delay.
Bhatti seeks financial reforms and debt restructuring
During the same meeting, Bhatti reviewed the state’s broader financial management and directed the Finance Department to prepare a comprehensive action plan. The proposed plan was to cover financial reforms, resource mobilisation and debt restructuring.
He said these measures were necessary to strengthen Telangana’s financial position. The Deputy Chief Minister also instructed officials to coordinate expenditure planning with approved allocations and ensure timely implementation across departments.