Shimla, Sept. 1 -- State president of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Rajeev Bindal on Monday criticised the state government for diversion of 16th Finance Commission funds terming it an attack on the financial autonomy of panchayati raj institutions.

Addressing a press conference on Monday at the BJP office 'Deep Kamal' in Shimla, Bindal alleged that after the completion of Panchayati Raj elections, as the funds under the 16th Finance Commission had started reaching the elected panchayats, but officials of the Finance Department were allegedly calling meetings of panchayat pradhans and directing them to deposit 50% of the funds meant for development works with the Irrigation and Public Health (IPH) and Public Works Department (PWD).

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