Kohima, March 19 (PTI): The Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG) has detected several lapses in planning, financial management and construction of sports infrastructure in Nagaland’s Department of Youth Resources and Sports (DYRS).
The CAG Report on Social, Economic Revenue and General Sector of Nagaland for the year ended March 31, 2015, tabled in the Assembly today, stated that the only aspect worthy of appreciation noticed was there was no “gender bias” in selection of sportspersons for imparting training at two establishments in the State.
The major findings of the CAG with regard to the department were the failure to prepare a developmental plan for sports and youth activities which led to adhoc promotion of sports and culture in the State.
It said scouting programme for talents at sub-division level was not conducted resulting in lost opportunity of tapping into sports talents at the grassroots level.
The State Government did not release funds under ‘Panchayat Yuva Krida aur Khel Abhiyan’ resulting in refund of Rs 1.27 crore to the Centre including a penal interest of Rs 24 lakh.
The Department of YRS diverted Rs 5.71 crore from the approved developmental activities by violating norms, it said.
The CAG also found that the Multi-disciplinary Sports Complex in Dimapur district was not functional despite expenditure of Rs 58 crore incurred on its construction.
Sports infrastructure created with a cost of Rs 45.43 crore to develop a cricket stadium at Sovima failed to meet National and International standards.
The Department released Rs 6.02 crore against unexecuted items of work by recording fraudulent measurement in the Measurement Book against seven projects.
Coaches and sportspersons were not motivated due to inadequate practising facilities and equipment, lack of job reservation policies for sportspersons, inadequate provision of rewards and incentives.
There was no quality assurance mechanism in purchase of sports good and equipments, the CAG remarked.
Nagaland govt fails to submit UCs
The CAG report also revealed that Nagaland State Government has failed to submit the Utilisation Certificates (UCs) of 104 grants in respect of 11 departments aggregating to Rs 217.65 crore till March 31, 2015. The CAG revealed that, of the 629 grants in respect of 11 departments aggregating to Rs 830.33 crore paid up to 2014-15, 104 UCs for aggregate amount of Rs 217.65 crore were in arrear from a year to five years till March 31, 2015.
The CAG also pointed that in the absence of UCs, it could not be ascertained whether the recipients had utilised the grant for the purpose for which it was given.
The department wise outstanding UCs, as exposed by CAG Report for the year ended March 31, 2015 is as follows: In Urban Development from 2010-11 to 2013-14, a total of 46 grants amounting to 16979.51 lakh was paid but UCs are pending for 23 grants amounting to Rs 8313.49 lakh.
