SSW and SSA under scanner
Morung Express News
Kohima | March 30
The Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) of India, in its 2005-06 report pulled up the department of Social Welfare for improper implementation of PMGY.
CAG reports revealed that the department has failed to identify malnourished children in the under-three year’s age group to be covered under PMGY component. Moreover, the total additional central assistance of Rs 27.19 crore for nutrition meant exclusively for children below the age of three years under PMGY was diverted for implementation of the state plan scheme of supplementary nutrition programme under ICDS which covered children in the age group of zero to six years, pregnant women and nursing mothers.
Further, the creation of Anganwadi centres in excess of norms resulted in extra expenditure of Rs 3.67 crore towards payment of honorarium to Anganwadi workers and helpers. The department distributed nutritional food without testing the calorie and protein content of food. Five CDPOs did not get ICDS materials valued at Rs. 0.70 crore against material worth Rs 0.70 crore issued by the central store Dimapur, said the report.
The records relating to health check up and referral services were not maintained at Anganwadi centres. In the absence of primary records, it was not possible to assess the benefits of immunization programme, health check up and referral services, the reports also alleged.
Further, it said that the department made no efforts for preventing blindness caused by vitamin ‘A’ deficiency by administering vitamin A solution to the children less than six years of age.
Accountant General, Ram Mohan Johri, told the press today that the State has not prepared a perspective plan for all the districts and the state for the period up to 2010. He said that the state government did not release its matching share of Rs 4.93 crore in 2002-03, Rs 2.39 crore in 2003-04, Rs 2.81 crore in 2004 and Rs 5.46 crore in 2005-06 which led to non release/short release of central share in the subsequent years.
According to the survey in August 2003, the three districts checked were grossly deficient in infrastructure as 76 per cent schools had no drinking water facilities, 94 per cent had no electricity, 55 per cent had no verandah, 97 per ecent had no toilet for girls and 92 per cent of schools had no urinal and 86 per cent of school buildings had dilapidated wall, roof and floor, the reports said.
It also alleged that 43 percent of the teachers were not adequately qualified for teaching purposes and 65 per cent of teachers were not trained to perform the job. SSA funds of Rs 10.65 lakh were diverted for distribution of free text books in Kiphire under Tuensang district though the state was providing funds for the same purpose.
CAG reports also alleged that there were 192 habitations without primary schools within one kilometer. There were 72 upper primary schools eligible for teaching Learning Equipment grant of Rs 50,000 as one time assistance, however, none of the upper primary schools were selected for the grant. Instead Rs 63 lakh was released to 126 government High schools and higher secondary schools.
Meanwhile, Accountant General, also said that the state revenue collection through tax has increased 6% to 9%. AG termed this increased in the revenue collection as positive phenomena.
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