In Asom, PMGY in poor light by CAG

Guwahati, Apr 6(UNI) The Prime Minister's Gramodaya Yojana (PMGY) has been shown in poor light in Asom by the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG).

The scheme, introduced by the Centre in 2000 as a new initiative to provide all habitations with portable drinking water, suffered with regard to its execution in Asom due to 'inadequate planning, diversion of funds and faulty execution'.

Revealing the major deficiencies in the implementation of the scheme, the CAG report for the fiscal 2005-06 stated, ''Against the target of coverage of 260 not-covered habitations and 1,261 partially -covered habitations by implementing the schemes in general areas, the actual coverage was 73 not-covered habitations (28 per cent) and 1,070 partially-covered habitations (85 per cent).'' Execution of the works without technical sanction, feasibility report and source development resulted in failure to achieve the objective of the scheme.

''There were cases of diversion of PMGY funds for other purposes to the extent of Rs 60.29 crore,'' the CAG report said.

The report further said that there were deficiencies in fund management to the extent that funds were drawn without even making budget provision, while advance withdrawal was made without immediate requirement and was kept in the form of call deposits.

The CAG categorically stated that ''against 113 and 11 pipe water supply schemes targeted to be completed during 2002-05 in general areas and Karbi Anglong district respectively, actual achievement was 27 in general areas (27 per cent) and nil in Karbi Anglong''.

It may be mentioned here that during the period 2000-05, out of allocation of Rs 145.51 crore for the PMGY scheme, Rs 113.65 was released for its implementation.

The CAG report stated that proper investigation and testing of water were not done before installing the deep tubewells. This coupled with inaction with regards to installation of fluoride mitigation plants to make the scheme viable resulted in infructuous expenditure of Rs 7.54 lakh, the report added.

In its recommendations, the CAG suggested that the PHE Department should formulate an action plan for optimum utilisation of Central funds successful implementation of all the schemes in a time bound manner. Proper survey and investigation before execution of the schemes and effective monitoring of the ongoing works were also among the recommendations.

UNI