Can government spend fund in 45 days?

BHUBANESWAR: Even as the State Government has launched all-out efforts to spend ` 1208 crore in post-flood restoration and renovation work in 45 days, the Congress has questioned the move.  This will open up chances for misutilisation of funds, senior Congress leader Narasingh Mishra said. Referring to the letter written by Union Rural Development Minister Jairam Ramesh on the State Government’s inability to spend money earmarked for drinking water purposes, Mishra asked how can the same machinery which failed to utilise ` 200 crore in a year spend ` 1208 crore in 45 days. Stating that it will be impossible for the Government to spend such a huge sum in such a short period, the former minister said that it has even yet to submit a detailed report to the Centre on the damages. The Central team which visited the state after the flood, had asked the State Government to submit a detailed report on damages for release of funds which it is yet to do, he said.  Mishra said that without taking proper steps for release of funds by the Centre, the State Government always takes recourse to the propaganda of Centre’s neglect.  Dissident BJD leader and former minister Damodar Rout also had a word of caution on the utilisation of funds for post-flood restoration and reconstruction activities. When departments are not able to spend less than ` 1208 crore in a year, how can the same machinery utilise the money in 45 days. It will be waste of money, he said.  Several problems including shortage of staff and vacancies in key posts in blocks will also come in the way of spending of the funds, the former  minister said.