Karwar: Uttara Kannada Deputy Commissioner K. Lakshmi Priya has directed officials of various departments to ensure the timely and proper utilisation of funds released under schemes for Scheduled Castes (SCs) and Scheduled Tribes (STs).

She issued the directions while chairing a review meeting on the progress of various SC/ST welfare schemes and a meeting of the District-Level Vigilance and Monitoring Committee at the Deputy Commissioner's office in Karwar on Tuesday.

The Deputy Commissioner stressed that funds allocated under various government schemes for SC/ST communities should be spent without delay and in full, in accordance with prescribed targets, to ensure that eligible beneficiaries receive the intended benefits.

She also instructed officials to respond promptly whenever cases of atrocities against members of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes are reported and provide victims with the necessary information about the assistance and benefits available to them.

Further, she directed officials to inspect any encroachment on land earmarked for the development and welfare of SC/ST communities and take appropriate action without delay.

The meeting was attended by Zilla Panchayat Deputy Secretary M.S. Allabakhsh, Urban Development Cell Project Director Zaheer Abbas, Social Welfare Department Deputy Director Umesh Y.K. and officials from various departments.