GUWAHATI, April 19 — The Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG) has identified various irregularities in the Flood Control Department and recommended that the ongoing scheme should be completed on priority basis before taking up new schemes. The CAG, in its report pointed out that out of 25 schemes recommended by the Planning Commission between 1998-99 to 2001-02, to be funded under the non-lapsable central pool of resources, only four could be completed due to the delay in release of fund to the executing department. The report revealed in 1998, the committee for funding of schemes under non-lapsable pool recommended financing of 25 flood management schemes at a cost of Rs 62.36 crore. The Centre released Rs 20 crore in the first instalment and another allotment of the same amount was released in February, 2002. But there was considerable delay in releasing the fund to the executing department.
The report revealed that out of the 25 schemes, which were to be completed by March, 2002, only four could be completed, while, the remaining schemes were not completed after incurring an expenditure of Rs 37.71 crore. The delay in completion of schemes was attributed to the delay in release of funds and in certain cases, the contractors refused to work due to non-payment of bills. The CAG pointed out that implementation of the mega-projects for controlling floods would take considerable time and till then short term measures need to be taken to give relief to the people from the fury of floods. In view of the poor financial condition of the State Government and persistent demand of the State Government, the Centre agreed to provide Rs 25 crore during 1996-97 as grants-in-aid on reimbursement basis for execution of 15 short term schemes. But due to the financial position of the State, only Rs 10.09 crore could be spent and the remaining grant of Rs 14.91 crore could not be availed.
The report said that during the period from 1997-98 to 2001-02, 39 schemes were taken up for implementation with Central loan assistance, of which six schemes costing less than Rs 3 crore, were later excluded as per the guidelines of the Planning Commission. However, only eight of the schemes taken up could be completed. The CAG has criticised the department’s action of taking up new schemes without completing the ongoing ones. The CAG pointed out that while priority should have been given on creation of flood control infrastructure, higher expenditure was made on salary. The report further revealed that 10 divisions of the department executed schemes at a total cost of Rs 26.06 crore without administrative approval or technical sanction, while, in Dhubri E and D division, unfruitful expenditure of Rs 2.11 crore was identified as the project was abandoned midway.