Thiruvananthapuram: The Latin Catholic diocese has alleged that Rs 143.54 crore allotted as disaster response funds of the centre has not been utilised by the disaster management authority.
Fr Eugene Pereira, former vicar- general of the Thiruvananthapuram Latin Catholic diocese, told Deccan Chronicle that there were reports that the disaster management authority had not taken up any projects using the central funds.
Fisheries Minister J. Mercykutty Amma had claimed that '128 crore had been allotted to various projects in the coastal areas as part of the Ockhi rehabilitation schemes. However, the claims lacked sincerity, said Fr Pereira.
The Kerala Regional Latin Catholic Council (KRLCC) has also asked the state government to bring out a white paper on the utilisation of Ockhi funds in view of the lapses in the central funds allotted for Ockhi rehabilitation.
Ms Mercykutty Amma in a statement said that the state government had spent more money than that allotted for Ockhi as disaster response fund. The centre allotted only Rs 111.7 crore. However, the state spent Rs 159.32 crore from the funds for Ockhi rehabilitation, she said.
The centre allots 75 percent of the funds and the state 25 percent in two instalments.
The first instalment will be allotted in June and the second in December. If the first instalment lapses, the second will be allotted after reducing 50 percent of that money only, said the minister.
However, in case of Ockhi, the state government spent Rs 47.62 crore above the funds allotted. As per the norms, the state was eligible for Rs 169.63 crore from the centre. However, only Rs 11.7 crore was allotted. The people should not spread rumours without ascertaining the facts, she said.
