WE THE PEOPLE
Non-adherence to BPL Criteria by SWD has resulted in inadmissible payment of Rs. 68.10 lakh during 2005-09
Hence People urge Govt., to get responsibility fixed to stop recurrence of such losses to State Exchequer
By: MNS/M. Shirjeel
Srinagar: In our Part 12th, we have stated that the Social Welfare Department is responsible for implementation of various developmental schemes, especially those relating to women, children, SC/ST/OBC population and social justice empowerment. The scrutiny of the records of the Department has brought out glaring gaps in planning, financial management and programme management. Due to non-availability of baseline data and non-disbursement of assistance to the beneficiaries in time, the unspent balances have increased over a period of time.
The utilization certificates for Rs. 27.76 crore were awaited from various bodies. There were huge unspent balances in banks at the end of each financial year due to non-disbursement of assistance to the beneficiaries in time.
It has also been observed that supplementary nutrition under Integrated Child Development Scheme was not provided to all beneficiaries (2005-09) and the shortfall ranged between seven and 40 per cent. Health check-up and other referral services were not provided in Jammu Division.
It has been detected that NFBS assistance of Rs. 10,000 is payable in lump sum to households below poverty line (BPL) on the death of the primary bread winner, provided the age of the deceased ranges between 18 to 64 years. It was also seen that no data of eligible beneficiaries based on BPL criteria had been prepared at any level, in the absence of which the genuineness of the recommended beneficiaries was not susceptible to check.
However, the Director, Social Welfare has stated that the DSWOs had been directed to prepare the data of eligible beneficiaries. But Audit scrutiny showed that 681 beneficiaries (out of 7,361) in 12 test-checked DSWOs (Jammu: 6; Kashmir: 6) were sanctioned to benefit of Rs. 10,000 (lump sum) each without either ascertaining whether the beneficiaries belonged to BPL category and without verifying the age of the primary bread winner (18 to 64 years) at the time of his or her death, which were the basic criteria for sanctioning the benefit. This action of the Department resulted in inadmissible payment of Rs. 68.10 lakh during 2005-09. The District Social Welfare Officers stated that all such cases would be reviewed and inadmissible amounts paid to the beneficiaries recovered.
To provide social cover to the destitute, widows/divorcees and the handicapped having no source of livelihood, the State Government launched (June 1994) the Integrated Social Security Scheme under which pension assistance/relief Rs. 200 per month (55-60 years of age); Rs. 300 per month for women above 40 in distress was to be paid to each identified beneficiary.
But it has been observed that the demand for release of funds had not been commensurate with the physical targets.
Therefore, non-adherence to BPL Criteria by SWD officials has resulted in inadmissible payment of Rs. 68.10 lakhs during 2005-09
Hence, People urge Govt., to get responsibility fixed to stop recurrence of such losses to State Exchequer in future.
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