WE THE PEOPLE
Despite recommendations of Public Accounts Committee, SWD officials have retained assistance of Rs. 78.15 crores
Hence People urge concerned Department to evolve mechanism for timely disbursement of Assistance
By: Shirjeel/MNS
Srinagar: It may be 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 by the audit of the Department 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 District Social Welfare Officers retained assistance of Rs. 78.15 crore for periods ranging between seven and 366 days despite recommendations of Public Accounts Committee to evolve a mechanism for timely disbursement of assistance.
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 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.
Targets fixed for National Social Assistance Programme were not achieved in full.
Pension under Integrated Social Security Scheme was not provided to the physically handicapped through money orders in Kashmir Division in contravention of guidelines.
The Contributory Social Security Scheme for marginal workers has largely failed in the State.
Amongst the priorities of national development, commitment towards welfare of the under-privileged, backward and vulnerable sections of the society is an indispensable element. The Social Welfare Department of the State administers Central and State Government schemes Book Bank Scheme; Post/Pre-Matric Scholarship for OBC/ST; Pre-Matric Scholarship of children whose parents are engaged in unclean occupation; Construction of SC/ST/OBC hostels; Addition/Alteration to departmental buildings; Coaching of inmates in Bal-ashrams/Nari-Niketans; Expansion of Bal-Ashrams; Expansion of Nari-Niketan relating to women and child development, social justice and empowerment, social security, tribal development and educational upliftment of SC, ST and OBC students etc by providing direct/indirect benefits to the target groups through various programmes. Integrated Social Security Scheme (ISSS); National Social Assistance Programme; Post-Matric Scholarship to physically handicapped; Contributory Social Scheme; Pre-Matric scholarship to physically handicapped; Contributory Social Security Scheme; Pre-Matric scholarship to physically handicapped; Prosthetic aid; Ladies vocational centers; NPAG; Construction of Model Anganwadi centres; Nutrition/Honorarium to Anganwadi workers/helpers.
The current review, covering period from 2005-2009, was conducted during April 2008 to March 2009 by a test-check of the records of 35 DSWOs: 12 (Jammu: 6; Kashmir: 6); CDPOs: 15 (Jammu: 5; Kashmir: 10); Programme Officers: 5 (Jammu: 3; Kashmir: 2); Directors: 2 (Jammu: 1, Kashmir: 1); Administrative Department 1 (out of 189) offices of the Department, involving an expenditure of Rs. 531.70 crore constituting 41 per cent of the total expenditure of Rs, 1,312 crore incurred during 2005-09. Out of the 19 schemes operational in the Department, four main schemes administered by the Department viz; ‘Integrated Social Security Scheme (ISSS)’, ‘Contributory Social Security Scheme (CSSS)’, ‘Integrated Child Development Scheme (ICDS)’ and ‘National Social Assistance Programme (NSAP)’ stand reviewed in detail. Hence People urge concerned Department to evolve mechanism for timely disbursement of Assistance (To be continued).
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