• CAG finds 307 incomplete projects in 24 departments
• CAG recommends ‘timely & effective’ implementation of projects
Our Correspondent
Kohima | March 26
During the current year, the fiscal deficit decreased due to the combined effect of decrease in capital expenditure and increase in revenue surplus. As a result, the primary surplus also increased as compared to the previous year. Besides, during the last five years the fiscal deficit continued with a fluctuating trend.
This was stated in the report of the Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG) on State Finances for the year ended 31 March 2015 which was tabled in the recently concluded State Assembly session in Kohima.
Revenue receipts: During 2014-15, out of the total revenue receipts of Rs. 7648.67 crore, 91 per cent of the total revenue i.e. Rs. 6991.72 crore came from the Government of India as central transfers Rs. 1062.68 core (14 per cent) and grants-in-aid Rs. 5929.04 crore (77 per cent). The State, however, achieved the total revenue collection target fixed by the XIII Finance Commission 2014-15.
Revenue expenditure: The overall revenue expenditure of the State increased by Rs. 1012.07 crore (17.60 per cent) over the previous year. The revenue expenditure constituted 86.85 per cent of total expenditure while the expenditure incurred under capital head constituted 13.14 per cent and loans & advances constituted 0.01 per cent. The report stated that there were 307 incomplete projects (estimated cost Rs. 2881.53 crore and actual expenditure incurred Rs. 1319.87 crore as of March 2015) pertaining to 24 departments.
Out of the 307 incomplete projects, 213 projects (estimated cost Rs. 1990.40 crore and actual expenditure Rs. 863.09 crore) were due to be completed by March 2015 but remained incomplete as of October 2015 and 2 projects (estimated cost Rs. 10.93 crore and actual expenditure Rs. 8.63 crore) had been suspended/abandoned.
The report stated that due to delay in completion of the projects, the intended benefits from those projects did not reach the beneficiaries in the State. The date of completion in respect of 43 projects could not be furnished by the departments and in respect of the remaining 49 projects, completion is not due as on March 31, 2015.
The report also stated that development expenditure of Rs. 3254.56 crore in 2010-11 had increased to Rs. 4491.58 crore in 2014-15. However, its share in aggregate expenditure had shown a fluctuating trend during 2010-15. The ratio of development expenditure as a proportion to aggregate expenditure had decreased by 0.44 per cent in 2014-15 as compared to the previous year.
The share of committed expenditure on the non-plan revenue expenditure was 85.60 per cent of the revenue receipts.
It recommended that Nagaland State needs to ensure timely and effective implementation of incomplete projects.
