WE THE PEOPLE
Delayed release of Funds by GOI under Centrally sponsored Schemes has affected Targets quite adversely
Hence People urge State government to ensure availability of Funds to achieve Targets without fail
By: Shirjeel/MNS
Srinagar: In our Part two, 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 by the audit 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.
It has come to light that 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. Even 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 is learnt that selection of district and tehsil offices for audit examination was made on simple judgmental basis, the offices being the ones where considerable expenditure was incurred on programme implementation. An entry conference was held with the Principal Secretary to the Government of J&K, Social Welfare Department in October 2008 wherein audit objectives, criteria and scope of audit were discussed. At the conclusion of audit, an exit conference was held on 8 October 2009 with the Secretary, Social Welfare Department wherein audit findings were discussed.
It may be mentioned that the Social Welfare Schemes introduced in the State are to be implemented through action plans framed by the Department in which yearly targets are set after taking into consideration the achievements made in earlier years. The annual plans at State level are to be prepared by the Department on the basis of the planning exercise conducted by the sub-ordinate offices. With a view to enabling the State Government to provide adequate budget grants annually for implementation of various State/Centrally sponsored schemes, identification of eligible beneficiaries at grass root level forms the basis for preparation of action plans and is arguably the most crucial pre-requisite for the successful implementation of the schemes.
A detailed scrutiny of the working of the department has shown that survey (ICDS sector) was conducted for identification of beneficiaries; records had not been properly maintained at Anganwadi centers in Jammu division. However, in Kashmir division the data was collected by Anganwadi centers and taken into consideration at district level while formulating the plans. It was also seen that no data of eligible beneficiaries based on BPL criteria was prepared under ISSS and NFBS. National Family Benefit Scheme (NFBS); National Old Age pension Scheme (NOAPS) and National Maternity Benefit Scheme (NMBS) are the three subsidiary schemes under National Social Assistance programme (NSAP). The scrutiny has shown that funds were not utilized properly due to non-preparation of correct annual plans and perspective plans at apex levels, as large quantum of funds were either surrendered, not utilized or diverted in NFBS, CSSS and ISSS to unapproved items.
The shortfall in utilization of funds ranged between 15 and 32 per cent during 2005-09 due to late release of funds by GOI under National Social Assistance Programme and Post-Matric Scholarship Scheme. There was significant delay ranging between 26 and 459 days (2005-08) in release of funds by the Department to the executing agencies. Evidently, implementation of schemes was impacted. (To be continued)
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