MUZAFFARABAD: The Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) government has directed all development related departments to ensure 100 percent utilisation of released funds for the territory’s annual development programme (ADP) for the ongoing fiscal year “within the next four days” to avoid their re-appropriation.

According to a directive issued by the planning and development (P&D) department on Sunday, an analysis of the current utilisation of funds by line departments up to June 18, 2023 had revealed that only Rs15.6 billion (76pc) had been utilised against the releases of Rs20.4 billion.

“This means that around Rs4.8 billion is still lying unspent with departments which have to be utilised by the end of the current financial year, which lies only 12 days away and includes the Eidul Azha holidays,” read the directive to all departments, a copy of which was also made available to Dawn.

“Therefore, strenuous efforts are required to ensure 100pc utilisation of released funds within a week’s time, positively,” it added. Interestingly, the directive stressed upon secretaries that in keeping with Eid holidays, they should ensure 100pc utilisation of released funds by June 22 “in any case” and warned that otherwise unspent amount after that date would be diverted to other better performing sectors requiring additional resources for payment of matured work done liabilities.

The secretaries should take appropriate measures to effectuate 100pc utilisation of released funds by the target date and submit compliance reports to apprise higher authorities accordingly, it said.

Published in Dawn, June 19th, 2023