Dimapur Congress seeks complete disclosure of Palna Scheme records

Dimapur, September 12 (MExN): The Dimapur District Congress Committee (DCC) has sought complete disclosure of records related to the implementation of the Palna Scheme under Mission Shakti, alleging that several documents sought through the RTI have either not been furnished or supplied only in summary form.

The DCC, after examining the reply of the Department of Social Welfare, said documents showed substantial Government of India sanctions for establishment and operationalisation of Anganwadi-cum-Crèches, with requirements for separate accounts, Statements of Expenditure, Utilisation Certificates and records open to audit and inspection.

However, it said the department had largely provided sanction orders and consolidated expenditure statements instead of the underlying records needed to independently verify utilisation of public funds.

The committee flagged gaps in financial transactions, saying complete centre-wise and month-wise bank records, payment vouchers, UTR/PFMS details, cash books, ledgers and supporting documents had not been adequately disclosed.

On honorarium, it said while payment rates and periods for Crèche Workers/Helpers and incentives for Anganwadi Workers/Helpers had been provided, complete worker-wise and month-wise transaction records were required to reconcile payments with actual recipients.

Regarding rent and Grant-in-Aid, the DCC sought centre-wise details of rented centres, landlords, rent or lease agreements, payments, receipts and corresponding bank transactions.

On procurement, it said material lists alone did not establish actual procurement or delivery and sought supplier details, quotations/tender records, supply orders, invoices, delivery challans, quantities received, stock entries and supplier-payment records.

The DCC also sought complete recruitment records, including selection proceedings, candidate-wise marks and evaluation records, committee minutes and other documents establishing the recruitment process. It noted that the furnished communications referred to vacancies being advertised and filled through written or oral interviews, while recruitment procedures required a district-level Selection Committee.

The committee clarified that the observations should not at this stage be construed as an allegation of misappropriation against any individual, saying they were questions arising from gaps between the information sought and records furnished.

The DCC called upon the Social Welfare Department and the minister concerned to disclose all relevant financial, rent, Grant-in-Aid, procurement, stock, recruitment, inspection, audit and Utilisation records. 

It said public welfare schemes meant for children, mothers, Anganwadi beneficiaries and workers must be administered with transparency and accountability.

The DCC said it would pursue appropriate legal remedies under the RTI Act and other applicable laws, besides peaceful and democratic means, if complete disclosure was not facilitated.