BengaluruRDPR minister Eshwar Khandre on Friday at the all India conference of RDPR ministers urged the centre to release funds earmarked for gram panchayats by the finance commissions, without delay.Apprising the states of Karnataka’s progress, Khandre said that the centre is yet to release Rs 2,186 crore of the previous five year fiscal between 2021-22 to 2025-26.He said the amount pending is part of the Rs 13,392 crore allocated by the 15th finance commission for Karnataka.“Such incessant delays hurt the development of a state and I urge the centre to release it at the earliest,” he said.Khandre said the state under the 16th finance commission is set to receive Rs 18,889 crore including Rs 3,778 crore performance grant.He said that Karnataka is facing the brunt of the El Nino effect and there is a shortage of water due to lack of rains.“If money is not released to the GPs on time, drinking water supply will be hampered,” he claimed.Ends
