Lapses galore in MGNREGS scheme implementation
Headlines 12:24
IMPHAL, July 13: 50 percent of the funds available under MGNREGS were allocated to the GPs/Vas, 25 percent to the ZPs/District Councils and the scheme projects by the Governement (September 2009, January and June 2010) as per the operational guidelines.
During 2007-12, 100 per cent of the works were allotted to VAs in Churachandpur and Tamenglong districts while in Thoubal and Imphal East districts 50 percent of the works were allotted to GPs, 25 percent to ZPs and 25 percent to line departments.
In violation of the provisions of NREGA operational guidelines, during 2010-12 in 40 test checked GPs in Imphal East and Thoubal, a sum of Rs 30.90 crore being 25 percent of the funds had been provided to local MLAs in the name of the concerned Line department.
In reply, the DPC Imphal East stated that under the line department’s share of 25 percent of the funds allotted, works were executed in consultation with local MLAs and the funds were released to the Zilla Parishads. However, as per records made available to audit, the funds were allotted to the local MLAs.
The line department was thus not involved in giving technical support in any of the sampled districts. Instead, the funds (Rs 30.90 crore) were utilized for executing MGNREGS works in consultation with the local MLAs. As per general financial rules, payments for services rendered or supplies made should be released only after the services have been rendered on supplies made.
As per records during 2011-12, in Vangai Block of Churachandpur district for execution of four works, an expenditure of Rs 13.92 lakh had been incurred. However, on physical verification, it was found that the works had not been completed (June 2012).
The DPC, Churachandpur stated (January, 2013) that the works had since been completed. However, release of payment before completion of work had violated the provisions of financial rules.
Similarly, in Thoubal District, for providing drinking water construction of public well at Mohendro Golai (estimated cost Rs 2.94 lakh) was started on December 22, 2011. However, the work was abandoned/remained incomplete after making payment of Rs 2.94 lakh as wages. The implementing agency could not state the reasons for non completion of the work. Thus, due to non completion of the work the intended benefits could not be provided to the public.
The MGNREGS works which the state government has failed to execute following the guideline provided by the Government of India are: non appointment of full time dedicated programme officer in all the sampled districts; the Gram Rozgar Sahayak (GRS) for each village Authority (VA) was also not appointed in Churachandpur and Tamenglong districts. Adequate Assistants/Junior Engineers (JE) were not appointed in the nine sampled blocks. The State Government had not drawn up Information, Education and Communication (IEC) plan for creating awareness among the rural masses and no training was conducted at the state level by preparing training modules and calendar of training.
The district programme coordinators of the sampled districts did not prepare district perspective plans (DPP) as per the guidelines for ensuing long term shelf of projects and preparation of annual plan while the state government did not release state share of funds within 15 days of release of central funds, during 2007-12 the shortfall was Rs 121.86 crore.
During 2007-12 and 2011-12, 100 percent employment could not be provided to the job card holders of the sampled districts.
In all the four sampled districts vital records such as job card application register, job card register, works register, employment register, asset register, muster roll (MR) issue and receipt register and measurement books were no maintained properly.
The state government did not constitute an independent organisation/directorate society at the state level for facilitation of social audit.
During 2007-12, block and district level officials of Imphal East and block level officials of Churachandpur did not inspect any work undertaken under the scheme.
Further, the state level officials did not inspect any work for Churachandpur, Imphal East and Tamenglong districts. Churachandpur and Imphal East districts did not identify district quality monitors (DQM). In respect of Tamenglong and Thoubal districts, documented reports of their identified DQMs were not available.
During 2007-12, 100 per cent of the works were allotted to VAs in Churachandpur and Tamenglong districts while in Thoubal and Imphal East districts 50 percent of the works were allotted to GPs, 25 percent to ZPs and 25 percent to line departments.
In violation of the provisions of NREGA operational guidelines, during 2010-12 in 40 test checked GPs in Imphal East and Thoubal, a sum of Rs 30.90 crore being 25 percent of the funds had been provided to local MLAs in the name of the concerned Line department.
In reply, the DPC Imphal East stated that under the line department’s share of 25 percent of the funds allotted, works were executed in consultation with local MLAs and the funds were released to the Zilla Parishads. However, as per records made available to audit, the funds were allotted to the local MLAs.
The line department was thus not involved in giving technical support in any of the sampled districts. Instead, the funds (Rs 30.90 crore) were utilized for executing MGNREGS works in consultation with the local MLAs. As per general financial rules, payments for services rendered or supplies made should be released only after the services have been rendered on supplies made.
As per records during 2011-12, in Vangai Block of Churachandpur district for execution of four works, an expenditure of Rs 13.92 lakh had been incurred. However, on physical verification, it was found that the works had not been completed (June 2012).
The DPC, Churachandpur stated (January, 2013) that the works had since been completed. However, release of payment before completion of work had violated the provisions of financial rules.
Similarly, in Thoubal District, for providing drinking water construction of public well at Mohendro Golai (estimated cost Rs 2.94 lakh) was started on December 22, 2011. However, the work was abandoned/remained incomplete after making payment of Rs 2.94 lakh as wages. The implementing agency could not state the reasons for non completion of the work. Thus, due to non completion of the work the intended benefits could not be provided to the public.
The MGNREGS works which the state government has failed to execute following the guideline provided by the Government of India are: non appointment of full time dedicated programme officer in all the sampled districts; the Gram Rozgar Sahayak (GRS) for each village Authority (VA) was also not appointed in Churachandpur and Tamenglong districts. Adequate Assistants/Junior Engineers (JE) were not appointed in the nine sampled blocks. The State Government had not drawn up Information, Education and Communication (IEC) plan for creating awareness among the rural masses and no training was conducted at the state level by preparing training modules and calendar of training.
The district programme coordinators of the sampled districts did not prepare district perspective plans (DPP) as per the guidelines for ensuing long term shelf of projects and preparation of annual plan while the state government did not release state share of funds within 15 days of release of central funds, during 2007-12 the shortfall was Rs 121.86 crore.
During 2007-12 and 2011-12, 100 percent employment could not be provided to the job card holders of the sampled districts.
In all the four sampled districts vital records such as job card application register, job card register, works register, employment register, asset register, muster roll (MR) issue and receipt register and measurement books were no maintained properly.
The state government did not constitute an independent organisation/directorate society at the state level for facilitation of social audit.
During 2007-12, block and district level officials of Imphal East and block level officials of Churachandpur did not inspect any work undertaken under the scheme.
Further, the state level officials did not inspect any work for Churachandpur, Imphal East and Tamenglong districts. Churachandpur and Imphal East districts did not identify district quality monitors (DQM). In respect of Tamenglong and Thoubal districts, documented reports of their identified DQMs were not available.
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