SWABI, March 1: The district administration is delaying release of funds to citizen community boards (CCBs).

Local officials told Dawn that the administration had Rs10 million for CCBs in its kitty but had been delaying its release due to preoccupation with arrangements for the next elections.

They said if the funds were not released at once, then their release could be delayed until the new elected government was in place after the upcoming elections.

According to officials, CCBs in the district totaling around 600 execute development projects in their respective areas focusing on construction of roads, streets, streetlights, bridges, drainage system and other welfare activities.

They said the district administration provided the project-based and cost-sharing financial support to CCBs established by people in their union councils.

Former nazim of Maneri Union Council Ghulam Hassan told Dawn that it was the Devolution Trust Community Empowerment (DTCE), which ran a campaign to educate members of the local government on the establishment of CCBs and execution of projects by them.“DTCE stresses on proper utilisation of funds but it is not the case if record is anything to go by,” he said.

There are many, who initiated projects on the cost-sharing support basis, have been pushed from pillar to post for funds ahead of elections.

“I don’t know what to do. How can I handle the delicate situation because we invested money in two projects and are still waiting for the fund,” said the president of a CCB.

“The time is very short but we hope that our funds will be released,” he said.

The other day, deputy commissioner Syed Mohammad Shah was to preside over a meeting on the matter but the meeting didn’t take place as the deputy commissioner went to Peshawar to attend a high-level meeting.

When contacted, social welfare officer Pulil Khan said CCBs would be provided with the required funds.

He, however, refused to disclose if CCBs would get funds before or after the upcoming elections.