To keep a tight leash over the total sanitation campaign (TSC) funds the centre releases to the states, the rural development ministry has made it mandatory for the states to submit utilisation certificates (UCs) before it releases further funds.

 “As you are aware, the funds under the TSC are now being released to state water and sanitation mission. As per the procedure contained in the TSC guidelines, the funds under the TSC are to be released after the examination of requisite documents to be submitted by the states” said a note from the rural development ministry to all the states.

“The states may therefore start the process of reconciling the availability of UCs from all the districts so as to submit consolidated UCs at the state level to the departments at the earliest preferably by 31st may 2010 to enable the department to process the cases for release of funds under TSC,” it further said.

The requirement of documents for release of funds are as follows:

•    Consolidated utilization certificate for the year 2010-11 separate for central share and state share (including interest) duly signed in ink by all authorized signatories in the format provided in the TSC

•    Annual performance report in the format provided in the TSC guidelines

•    Complete audit report provided in the TSC guidelines

TSC is a comprehensive programme run by the rural development ministry to ensure sanitation facilities in rural areas with a broader goal to eradicate the practice of open defecation.