Hyderabad, July 20 -- The Telangana Panchayat Raj and Rural Development Department has strongly refuted allegations that the state government diverted 15th Finance Commission funds to pay electricity bills and staff salaries, describing the claims made by union Minister of State for Home Affairs Bandi Sanjay as "completely baseless" and contrary to facts.
In a clarification issued on Monday, the department stated that under Section 52 of the Telangana Panchayat Raj Act, 2018, Gram Panchayats are legally responsible for maintaining streetlights within their jurisdiction, including payment of electricity bills. It said such expenditure is part of their statutory duties and cannot be termed a diversion of funds.
The department explained that...