Morung Express News
Dimapur | April 5
The Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) of India has reported that out of 9 projects sanctioned by the Ministry of DoNER during 2015-20 only two projects were completed; and even among the two, one was competed project after delay of 19 months.
CAG flags non completion of DONER projects in NagalandThe report from the CAG, which was tabled in the recently held Nagaland Legislative Assembly (NLA), said that the 9 projects were sanctioned with a total approved cost of Rs 250.04 crore, and the expenditure incurred was Rs 134.27 crore.
It said that 5 out of the 7 incomplete projects were due for completion by March 2020 or earlier but still ongoing with delays ranging from three to 29 months from the scheduled date of completion.
The report said that deficiencies in assessment of infrastructural needs and lack of proper planning of projects by the State Government were noticed in audit. It reported that concept notes did not contain detailed analysis of existing facilities (gap analysis) in the sector and full justification for retention of the particular project.
The report informed that two projects retained at a cost of Rs 48.85 crore were not sanctioned by the Ministry of DoNER due to duplication with existing facilities, preparation of unrealistic estimates, delay in submission of revised estimates, etc. There were instances of short release by State Government, of MDoNER and States’ matching share and submission of false UCs to MDoNER, it added.
Further, it noticed “irregular diversion/ deduction” of Rs 1.96 crore towards VAT/ WCT, departmental charges, procurement of vehicle, etc. It also noted that government orders and codal provisions relating to the tendering process were not adhered to by the implementing departments.
The report meanwhile informed that the implementing departments made payment of Rs 2.92 crore to the contractors without actual execution of works and incurred avoidable expenditure of Rs 5.58 crore due to procurement of materials at exorbitant rates.
Another issue the CAG flagged was that monitoring at the State level was inadequate as only five against the stipulated twenty review meetings were held, no evaluation studies were conducted, data relating to progress of projects was not uploaded in MIS portal, etc.
“Despite being pointed out in the C&AG Report and the recommendations of the PAC of the State Legislature, the nodal as well as implementing departments did not take necessary corrective measures,” it stated.
Recommendations
The CAG recommended that the State Government may take appropriate measures to complete the time overrun projects at the earliest. It called for actions to ensure timely release of funds to complete the ongoing projects within the stipulated timeline.
It further asked the government to review projects which are stalled or progressing slowly because of land disputes, procedural or technical issues etc. and take appropriate course of action so that projects are completed without further delay.
Further, the CAG called for initiating departmental enquiry and fixing responsibility against officers/ officials responsible for passing bills based on fictitious measurements, submission of false utilisation certificates; excess payments and also facilitating payments without actual execution of works, delay in completion of the project.
It also called for strengthening monitoring and supervision to ensure proper quality of work, effective implementation and also to prevent irregularities in payment, incorrect measurements, etc.
