Bandi Sanjay Alleges Diversion of 15th Finance Commission Funds, Seeks Central Probe

Union Minister Bandi Sanjay has alleged that the Telangana government has diverted 15th Finance Commission grants meant for Gram Panchayat development towards expenditure such as electricity bills, diesel costs, sanitation workers' salaries, tractor EMIs and pending contractor payments. In a letter addressed to Union Panchayati Raj Minister Rajiv Ranjan Singh (Lalan Singh), he claimed that the funds were not being utilised for their intended developmental purposes and that the diversion violates the 73rd Constitutional Amendment, Article 243G, the 11th Schedule and the recommendations of the 15th Finance Commission.

Bandi Sanjay stated that the Centre has already released ₹2,293.74 crore to the state in phases under the 15th Finance Commission, while another ₹729.41 crore remains pending. He alleged that the state government has not released funds to Gram Panchayats for over two and a half years and is pressuring sarpanches and secretaries through oral instructions to divert Finance Commission grants. He urged the Centre to order an immediate inquiry, conduct an audit of fund utilisation, restore diverted funds to Panchayat development accounts, strengthen monitoring mechanisms, seek an explanation from the state government and release the pending Finance Commission dues to Telangana.