Kunal Shrivatsa
JAMMU, Mar 8: Amid much gusto and fanfare, several official functions were held today across the state to mark the International Women's Day, however, the Government, it seems, is only observing the day to perform a ritual rather than extending benefits to needy among the fairer sex in the state particularly for those who are orphan and widows.
In the latest Report of Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) of India, the real face of the State Government towards rehabilitation of poor and needy women gets exposed as the Social Welfare Department failed to take over the possession of a Nari Niketan complex constructed at Village Mangnar in Poonch District to facilitate the stay of widows and orphans for more than three years.
"The non-taking over possession of the Nari Niketan complex, Mangnar by the department resulted in idle investment of Rs 92.14 lakh besides non-accrual of intended benefits to the concerned orphans and widows," observed the CAG.
CAG Report further said that to ensure proper accommodation and rehabilitation of the orphans and widows, the District Social Welfare Officer (DSWO), Poonch approached the Executive Engineer (EE), Public Works (Roads and Buildings) Division Poonch, the executing agency, for construction of a Nari Niketan Complex at village Mangnar, Poonch in March 2005.
The proposal was mooted by the department since there was no sufficient accommodation and the existing Nari Niketan was running in the rented accommodation.
"Accordingly, the Superintending Engineer, PWD (R&B) Circle Poonch Rajouri submitted the Detailed Project Report (DPR) in September 2005 for construction of the complex at a cost of Rs 81.74 lakh to the Director, Social Welfare Department, Jammu for completion within one year subject to availability of funds," said the CAG Report.
"Consequently, Administrative Approval (AA) for the project was accorded by the Secretary, Social Welfare Department in September 2006. The works for construction of project were allotted (December 2006/ January 2007) by the EE, PWD (R&B), Division, Poonch to the contractors," it added.
The Report further revealed that Audit scrutiny (August 2012) of records of the DSWO, Poonch showed that the complex had been completed in May 2010 at a cost of Rs 92.14 lakh after a delay of about four years.
"In June 2010, the executing agency requested the DSWO, Poonch to take over possession of the building which had been completed in all respects including toilets, bathrooms, electrification etc," maintained the Report.
"The DSWO, Poonch in June 2012 reported to the Director, Social Welfare Department, Jammu that upon visiting the site the building was found incomplete in respect of toilets, bathrooms, electrification and proper drainage system and that the executing authorities had been approached to complete the building," it added.
However, the possession of the Nari Niketan building was not taken over by the Department as of July 2013 and the building continued to be housed in the existing rented accommodation for which an amount of Rs 6.12 lakh had been paid as rent from January 2008 to December 2012.
"Thus, failure of the department authorities to take over possession of the complex resulted in idle investment of Rs 92.14 lakh for over three years, non-accrual of intended benefits to the concerned orphans and widows besides avoidable payment of rent Rs 3.77 during July 2010 to July 2013," observed the CAG.
After the lapse was pointed out in Audit, the DSWO, Poonch stated in August 2012 that possession of the building would be taken over as and when it was completed satisfactorily.
The fact, however, remains that the EE, PWD (R&B) Division Poonch intimated in July 2013 that the building was completed in all respects and the concerned Department was asked to take over the building in June 2010. |
