SRINAGAR: An amount of Rs 27.36 crore funds of State Disaster Relief Fund (SDRF) was diverted or spent irregularly after 2014 devastating floods in Jammu and Kashmir.
Out of this amount, an amount of Rs 12.25 crore was utilized on 1208 works, which were either started or were under execution or had been completed before the occurrence of the flood, Comptroller Auditor General (CAG) said in its latest report.
Rs 10.21 crore was utilized on normal repair and maintenance works, ineligible items and works, and works not included in the damaged report.
The CAG report said that Rs 4.90 crore was utilized on ineligible works actually ongoing under other schemes and projects and not handed over to the concern department.
Due to incorrect projection of span for a bailey bridge in Poonch district of Jammu region, excess material costing Rs 4.39 crore was purchased which could have avoided, the report said, adding that due to incorrect application of rates by the Irrigation and Flood Control (I&FC) Division, Srinagar, for earthwork in banking in layers and for supply of earth extra expenditure of Rs 2.36 crore from SDRF was incurred.
It said that 6369 metres of pipes were issued in January and February 2015 from the stores of Water Works Division, Srinagar for restoration of 25 works costing Rs 23.54 lakh. Surprisingly these works had already been shown completed between October-December 2014, raising doubt as to the actual execution of the work, the CAG report said.
Moreover the report said that as per the Manual and Administration of SDRF, eligible sectors for which the assistance are to be provided are specifically named and categorized. However, Rs 31.44 crore was released from the SDRF to seven department and agencies which were not eligible.
Out of this amount, Rs 14.97 crore was spent by Estate Department, Tourism department, including S K International Conference Centre (SKICC) and State Motor Garages on items such as furniture, electronic and electrical gadgets and other items besides renovation of government quarters which were in any case not associated with flood damage.
Further, the report said that Government of India (GoI) released Rs 1000 crore as Special Plan Assistance (SPA) for rebuilding or damaged infrastructure. However, the audit observed that Rs 42.24 crore of SPA funds were utilized on works and items not covered under SPA guidelines.
The report said that expenditure from SPA was subject to the conditions, inter alia, that SPA should be utilized only for rebuilding damaged infrastructure. However, 79 works which were not damaged due to the floods were taken up by three departments at a cost of Rs 30.48 crore out of which expenditure of Rs 23.12 crore had been incurred as of March 2016.
Similarly, in contravention of the condition that only such schemes and projects to be taken up which had not been funded under SDRF, State Plan, Centrally Sponsored Schemes (CSS ) flexi fund or others, nine lift irrigation schemes started during previous years of 2007-08 to 2011-2012 and which were funded under CSS- Accelerated. Irrigation Benefit Programme (AIBP), state plan-district sector schemes were taken up under SPA at a cost of Rs 2.06 crore and expenditure of Rs 1.05 crore has been incurred till March 2016.
The CAG report said that 24 works where Rs 1.22 crore had already been spent under SDRF were also taken up under the SPA and an expenditure of Rs 3.61 crore was incurred.
Further an amount of Rs 14.46 crore was spent for purpose not related to rebuilding the damaged infrastructure such as removal of silt from nallahas, purchase of POL, payment of wages to office casual staff or on construction of works not sanctioned under SPA.
The CAG in its recommendation said the state government should establish and operationalize the institutional structures and disaster related policies envisages in the Disaster Management Act 2005 for efficient management of pre and post disaster activities.
It further asked to conduct vulnerability, hazard and risky assessment especially in 13 multi hazard districts and prepare risk maps that would enable formulation of informed strategies and prioritization of resources for disaster preparedness including an early warning system.
Formulate and implement a time bound plan for capacity building, including promotion of general awareness and community training and building capacity to combat disaster as an important pre disaster activity. Besides ensure that personnel of the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) undergo the mandatory training in a time bound plan and that they are thereafter used solely for the intended purpose.
The CAG further recommended to strengthening the mechanisms for monitoring movement and distribution of financial assistance and relief material to ensure that they reach to intended duly identified beneficiaries. Besides, procedures should also be in place for accountability of administrative officials for any unjustified diversion or avoidable losses. (UNI)
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