CAG pulls up Arunachal govt for non-implementation of PDS

ITANAGAR, July 25: The Comptroller and Auditor General of India has pulled up the Arunachal Civil Supplies department for not effectively implementing the public distribution system during the period 1992-99 due to defective budgeting. The CAG report for year 1999 laid down by Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Mukut Mithi in the state Assembly here on Monday stated that the scheme was not fully implemented in the state due to defective budgeting as Rs.11.67 crore (revenue Rs 8.07 crore, capital Rs.3.60) remained unutilized during the year 1992-99 and short-lifting of 1.09 lakh tonnes of PDS commodities valued at Rs.60.47 crore allotted by the Government of India which led to distribution of same below the prescribed scale depriving the beneficiaries of the intended benefits of the scheme. The scheme further suffered due to issue of 4079 bogus ration cards and the government sustained a loss of Rs.3.48 crore, the report said, adding, "Due to non settlement of dispute between the state government and the FCI, claims for freight charges valued at Rs.12.74 crore by wholesale remained outstanding against FCI, which had affected the financial position of the whole sellers in lifting PDS commodities and proper implementation of the scheme due to non lifting of the same." Stating that the main objectives of the public distribution system was to ensure regular supply of essential commodities like wheat, rice, sugar, edible oils and kerosene etc., at reasonable prices particularly to weaker sections of the society, the CAG reports pointed out that out of 8.18 lakh tonnes of foodgrains allotted by the GoI during the year 1998-99, the state lifted only 7.09 lakh tonnes. Short-lifting of 1.09 lakh tonnes valued Rs 60.47 crore led to distribution below prescribed scale depriving the beneficiaries of the intended benefit of the scheme.