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| J&K 'non-serious' in checking misuse of developmental funds: PC | | Implementation of PMRP, CSS | | Syed Junaid Hashmi
JAMMU, Sept 25: Jammu and Kashmir government has never shown serious inclination to check misuse of assistance being provided by centre for implementation of centrally sponsored schemes including those covered under Prime Minister's Reconstruction Programme (PMRP).
Programmes are implemented in such a callous manner that expenditure booked in accounts assumes precedence over bonafide and propriety of the expenditure. These observations have been made by Planning Commission of India (PCI) in one of its study report on the implementation of centrally sponsored schemes (CSS) across the country including Jammu and Kashmir.
The report has been compiled by the commission with the assistance of Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) of India. Commission has studied lacunas and drawbacks in the implementation of centrally sponsored schemes in the state. It has rebutted the claims of respective government and without mincing words, stated that emphasis has been on early release of assistance by central ministries rather than ensuring quality of expenditure and attainment of the objectives earmarked under the scheme.
The study report has referred to CAG and said that even the country's supreme auditing body has observed a common pattern of shortcomings in the execution of centrally sponsored schemes. As early as 1999, according to planning commission, CAG's Union audit report pointed out various constraints in CSS. It has concluded that ministries both at the centre and the state level execute programmes without quantitative and qualitative evaluation of delivery.
Funds are released mechanically without reference to capacity of state governments or effective utilization of funds released earlier, the report says while adding that ministries are unable to ensure correctness of the data and facts reported by the state governments. Internal audit function in both the departments implementing the projects as well as the societies is both inadequate and nonexistent, report claims.
Expenditure figures given by officers down the line do not tally with figures reported by district level agencies, the study has found out. It has gone to the extent of saying that expenditure information is unreliable and hence recommended that Plan and Non-Plan distinction in the budget should be removed.
Besides, the document referring to thick skinned babus affirms that there is unwillingness to accept poor performance, for fear of being questioned by assembly or adverse press publicity. Besides, the thick skinned babus feel that they would be taken to task if failure were admitted. Hence a vested interest develops up to the top to conceal shortcomings, and not encourage independent evaluation.
Report has without worrying for the consequences stated that schemes are implemented by the states and hence, sensitivity associated with centre-state relations especially in the case of Jammu and Kashmir often precludes the centre from asking embarrassing questions. Moreover, Ministries are hesitant to monitor state sector schemes, although it may have important bearing on the sector with which the central ministry is concerned.
The study has brought to light an astonishing revelation that funds are released in an indifferent manner without asking for utilisation of previous assistance and apart from willingness, capacity to do effective monitoring is limited, and often does not exist. It maintains that delayed evaluation serves little purpose.
Regarding political mudslinging over alleged staggered implementation of centrally sponsored schemes, the study has found out that CSS have been in operation for more than 10, and some even for 20 years and this period has seen several political parties in power at the centre and the states. Hence, the result is that the party in power has no sense of ownership with the existing schemes, although it also does not wind it up either because of bureaucratic resistance or sheer lethargy.
Greater political advantage is seen in announcing new schemes on the 15th August or at the time of the budget, with the result that the number of schemes keeps on increasing, the study says. Too many returns and meetings are prescribed, which serve no purpose, says the study while advising that these need to be reduced. |
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