The Punjab Government has decided in principle to release Rs. 250 crore outstanding payments under various rural development schemes. It was disclosed by the Rural Development & Panchayat Minister Mr. Tript Rajinder Singh Bajwa after high level meeting in this regard with Mr. Anirudh Tiwari Principle Secretary Finance and other senior officials of the Rural Development department.Divulging further details Mr. Bajwa said that besides the discussion on outstanding payments other key issues which were discussed in the meeting included the furnishing of budgetary proposals under various rural development schemes. He said that that the Principle Secretary Finance has assured to release the pending grant Rs 82.36 Crore under MNREGA scheme, Rs 100 Crore under Prdhan Mantri Awass Yojna, Rs 19.75 Crore under Shyama parshad Rural mission and Rs 52.74 Crore IBWS Scheme.Mr. Bajwa also issued strict directions to the senior officials of the Rural Development Department to utilize the grants with outmost transparency as per set guidelines. He said that the quality parameters must be strictly adhered to while executing the development works, no compromise in this regard would be tolerated. At the same time laxity and any under the carpet operations would not be tolerated while utlising these grants. Anyone found guilty of of misappropriation of funds would be severely dealt with. He directed the senior officers of the rural development to personally monitor the ongoing development works at the village level. ‘ The concerned officers at all ends would be accountable for the development works.’ added Bajwa.Prominent among others present in the meeting included Mr. Anirudh Tiwari Principle Secretary Finance, Mr. C.Siban Director-cum-Joint Development Commissioner Rurak Development & panchayats.