WE THE PEOPLE
Non-submission of Utilization Certificates amounting to Rs 16.55 crore by DSWOs has raised many Eyebrows
Hence People urge Top Brass of SWD to get Guidelines implemented to curb Corrupt Practices
By: MNS/Shirjeel
Srinagar: In our Part 5th, we have stated that the Social Welfare Schemes introduced by the concerned department 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 enable 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.
Pertinent to state that Financial rules provide that the expenditure figures booked by the controlling officers on the basis of statements furnished by each Drawing and Disbursing Officer (DDO) are to be reconciled periodically with those booked by the Accountant General (A&E) to exercise control over expenditure and to maintain a check against frauds, embezzlements/misappropriations, etc. Such reconciliation had not been conducted for the period from January 2008 to March 2009 by the Director, Social Welfare, Jammu. The delay in conducting reconciliation of first three quarters of 2007-08 ranged between 66 days to 152 days.
It needs to be mentioned that Scrutiny of records by the Checking Party has revealed that Rs. 27.76 crore was released (2005-08) to various Institutions/Bodies JK SC/ST/OBC DC: Rs. 8.95 crore, J&K Women Development Corporation: Rs. 14.31 crore and Council for Rehabilitation of Orphans, Widows, Handicapped and Old: Rs. 4.50 crore as financial assistance/grant-in-aid for meeting expenditure on various components under the Programmes of the Institutions/Bodies. The grant-in-aid/financial assistance was payable subject to receipt of audited statements for previous releases. Neither had the utilization certificates been obtained from these institutions/bodies nor had the audited statements of accounts been called for by the Department to ascertain whether the expenditure was incurred within the ambit of rules.
Similarly, utilization certificates under post/pre-matric scholarship for Rs. 16.55 crore Baramulla: Rs. 0.1 crore; Doda: Rs 2. crore; Director (SWD) Jammu: Rs. 1.54 crore; Jammu: Rs. 6.62 crore; Kupwara: Rs. 0.44 crore; Poonch: 0.60 crore; Pulwama: Rs. 0.28 crore; Rajouri: Rs. 2.47 crore; Udhampur: Rs. 1.50 crore and Kathua: Rs. 1 crore released (2005-09) to implementing agencies were awaited from nine DSWOs, in the absence of which, the genuineness of expenditure could not be vouch-safed in audit.
Financial rules prohibit opening of bank accounts by the DDOs without approval of the Finance Department except in exception cases. But the Scrutiny has shown that six DSWOs of Doda, Jammu, Kathua, Poonch, Rajouri, and Udhampur opened 56 bank accounts without obtaining approval of the Finance Department.
Hence People urge Top Brass of SWD to get Guidelines implemented to curb Corrupt Practices in the department. ( To be continued)
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