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Bhubaneswar: The Integrated Action Plan (IAP) for selected tribal and backward districts in State is not functioning properly in Naxal-affected areas, revealed the Comptroller & Auditor General of India (CAG)’s report on general and social sector tabled in the Odisha Assembly today.
While special projects have been formulated for selected districts in Odisha to check Naxal influence and for development of people, the projects are not being implemented properly, the report mentioned.
As per the report, there has been a delay in preparation of annual action plans (AAPs) for each district under the IAP which should be finalized before the commencement of the financial year for timely completion of projects.
Delays up to 3 to 12 months in preparation of AAPs for 2013-14 and 2014-15 have led to delay in execution of projects and utilization of funds, resulting in loss of central assistance, the report highlighted.
The CAG pointed out that the State lost Rs 497.43 cr worth of central funding for irregular diversion of funds to areas other than the stipulated purpose.
The Central government denied Rs 81.90 crore security related expenditure to Odisha for various reasons including delay in establishment of a hub for Special Operations Group in Koraput, hiring helicopter without permission and failing to complete infrastructure projects on time, the report mentioned.
During a sample audit of seven districts, CAG found that Odisha was denied Rs 81.75 crore towards education and medicine kits under Integrated Child Development Services Scheme for not showing actual expenditures. Moreover, the CAG pointed out that Rs 102.77 crore have not been spent in these seven districts and are lying unutilized with District Social Welfare officers.
Highlighting other irregularities, the report cited that children are served low quality food in schools while embezzlement of rice has been found at 12 Anganwadi centres in State.
"Monitoring and supervision of the implementation of the scheme was also not adequate as there was shortfall in holding of State-level monitoring and review committee meetings, non formation of district-level monitoring and review committee meetings, inadequate supervision by the supervisors," said Accountant General of Odisha, R Ambalavanan.
The CAG has also highlighted irregularities in sewerage projects in various Municipalities of State. There were deficiencies in preparation of detailed project reports in respect of sanitation projects in Cuttack and Talcher municipalities, resulting in wasteful expenditure of Rs 95.17 lakh. Due to delays in execution of projects the Odisha Water Supply & Sewerage Board (OWSSB) lost Rs 99 crore central assistance, the CAG report pointed out.
On the other hand, the CAG report also mentioned that Odisha's Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP) rose 15.6% from Rs 3,09,807 cr in 2014-15 to Rs 3,32,329 cr in 2015-16.
"The total revenue receipts of the government for the year 2015-16 amounted to Rs 68,941.44 crore against Rs 56,997.88 crore in the previous year," said Principal Accountant General of Odisha, Yashodhara Ray Chaudhuri.
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