GUWAHATI, March 7 � The report of the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) of India has revealed that 34 per cent of the works under the MLA Area Development Scheme (MLAADS) due for completion by March 2009, remained incomplete in ten test-checked districts, while inadmissible works were taken up during 2004-09 beyond the scope of the scheme.
The report also noted that unutilized fund remained as high as 51 per cent during 2008-09, with the unutilized balance being Rs 25.86 crore against release of Rs 50.40 crore. In ten distriucts, 3,141 works valued at Rs 23.90 crore for the years 2004-08 � due for completion during 2005-09 � remained incomplete as on March 2009, resulting in delay in providing intended infrastructure facilities to the community. In the ten districts, 187 works for Rs 2.92 crore were taken up beyond the scope of the scheme during 2004-09.
In a serious violation of policy guidelines, in five districts, the district authorities installed 1,680 hand pump sets and took up 189 works for execution during 2004-09 with funds of Rs 1.93 crore in private land holdings, which was not permissible under the scheme.
The report further noted that the monitoring system for implementation of the scheme was ineffective in the State.
Pulling up the Deputy Commissioners of Kamrup and Dibrugarh for failing to route day-to-day financial transactions through cash books, the report noted that the DC, Kamrup drew (2008-09) Rs 2.40 crore under the MLAADS and deposited the same in the SB account, and while incurring an expenditure of Rs 64 lakh out of it did not record the transaction in the cash book. �Further, the DC, Dibrugarh, did not produce any cash book for the period prior to October 1, 2004 as the cash book for the period was stated to have been misplaced during shifting of the office�in the absence of cash book for the earlier period, the opening balance could not be authenticated in audit,� it said.
On the utilization of Central funds for infrastructure development projects implemented in the State, the report revealed that the project formulation process provided in the scheme guidelines was not adhered to. �Out of 150 projects approved by the Government of India, 83 projects not included in the priority list for 2002-09 were implemented during 2004-09,� it added.
Out of 150 projects approved by the GOI during 2004-09, 106 projects were due for completion as of March 2009. But only 24 out of the 106 projects (23 per cent) were completed, and 14 projects were not taken up for execution despite availability of funds.
There was short release of funds of Rs 366.96 crore (51 per cent) by the State Government as against receipt of Rs 723.04 crore from the GOI during 2004-09.
The prescribed procedure for monitoring the implementation of the projects was not adhered to. No evaluation or impact study was conducted for assessing the successful implementation of projects in the State, the report noted.
