Shimla, Aug 13
The performance audit of Non Public sector undertakings of Himachal Pradesh Government
found embezzlement, uneconomic and unfruitful expenditure and non-utilizations of public money to the tune of Rs 203.1 Crore.
The Comptroller and audit general in para -2 highlights the embezzlement of funds in Himachal Pradesh University (Education Department). It said, that failure of authorities at Himachal Pradesh University to carry out periodic reconciliations and exercise necessary checks for comparing receipts in the registers, records with those appearing in Bank statements, resulted in embezzlement of 1.13 Cr.
Para three of the report highlighted irregular expenditure on testing of school uniform cloth (Education Department). The testing of school uniform cloth was awarded directly to a laboratory in violation of Financial Rules and principles of financial propriety and economy in public procurement as a result irregular and uneconomical expenditure of 1.62 Cr and extension of undue favour to the laboratory.
Para four said that unfruitful expenditure on construction of building (Education Department). It said contravention of approved building plan by executing agency and lack of monitoring by the Education Department led to denial of civic amenities to staff quarters which remained non-functional for more than 49 months, resulting in unfruitful expenditure of 2.27 Cr.
Para six on the mis-utilisation of Grant-in-Aid (Industries Department) of the report stated that lack of monitoring and inaction on the part of the department had resulted in non- recovery of financial assistance and penalty of 1.29 Cr under National and State Mission on Food Processing Scheme.
Para six on the mis-utilisation of Grant-in-Aid (Industries Department) of the report stated that lack of monitoring and inaction on the part of the department had resulted in non- recovery of financial assistance and penalty of 1.29 Cr under National and State Mission on Food Processing Scheme.
Para seven of the report highlighted the non-utilisation of funds and unfruitful expenditure on infrastructure (Labour and Employment Department). Himachal Pradesh Building and Other Construction Workers Welfare Board did not formulate an action plan for utilisation of funds with systematic assessment of requirements. Consequently, 86 per cent of funds collected, and assets created at an expenditure of 24.15 crore for skill development institute and labour accommodation remained unutilised.
The report further in para eight highlight undue favour to contractors on suspended work of road in the public department amounting to Rs 2.88 Cr on account of non obtaining performance guarantee. ” Payment for unauthorised execution of excavation works at significantly high rates, non recovery of useful stones, non recovery of compensation and less deduction of security deposit in respect of suspended work of road” said Para -8 of the report.
State executive committee not ensuring utilisation of money drawn from the of State disaster Response Fund resulted misutilisation of Rs 14.63 Cr by deputy commissioner(s) on inadmissible works of repair and restoration without any damage by disaster or calamity.
Rs 99.1 Lakh Infructuous expenditure and blocking of Rs seven crore funds found due to non-construction of polytechnic building in the Technical Education department. Due to failure of dept to check feasibility of site before diversion of land for construction of polytechnic and delay in identification of land at alternate site delayed work for more
nine years, stated the CAG report.
