Finance Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Wednesday cautioned the Social Welfare department that the government may not release further funds if the pending utilisation certificates (UCs) of 2016-17 are not submitted.

Secretaries of all departments have been directed to furnish the utilisation certificates of all state-sponsored schemes being implemented under their ambit before September 15.

Till 2015-16, the number ofpending UCs was 8,551. But the number of pending UCs for the year 2016-17 iscurrently around 550. Of the 550 pending UCs, most are related to local bodies,BTC, Untied Fund and Social Welfare department, etc., the minister informed theAssembly.

He said if the pending UCs of the MLAD funds (2016-17) are not submitted in the next one and half month's time, the schemes may be foreclosed.

"The DCs will submit the UCs for the amounts spent. The remaining amounts may be re-sanctioned later," he said.