Thane: Shiv Sena MP from Thane, Naresh Mhaske, raised questions about proper utilisation of thousands of crores of central financial funds disbursed to local self-governing bodies across the country for implementing e-governance and digitisation plans. He has called for a thorough audit of the same.
Mhaske issued a statement that these points had been raised at the recently held standing committee meeting of the Department of Housing & Urban Development at the Parliament House, New Delhi.
“Crores of rupees were given by the central govt for the e-governance initiatives, including digitisation of services by the local civic bodies. Several local bodies stage presentations to secure funds from the department, but there is no follow-up on whether the money was utilised properly or if the plans materialised. There has to be proper planning for utilisation of these funds…,” he told TOI.
Without naming any civic body, he said such e-initiatives, for which funds were sourced, start but do not continue for long. —Manoj Badgeri