R&B fails to give plausible reasons for violation of J&K Financial Code

Faces discomfiture before House Panel; shortcomings persist

Mohinder Verma
JAMMU, Feb 11: R&B Department has failed to give plausible reasons for violation of J&K Financial Code and inordinate delay in completion of Rs 44 crore worth 18 bridges and other works in different parts of the State pointed out by the Comptroller and Auditor General of India two years back. Due to this, the department has faced major embarrassment before the Committee on Public Accounts of the State Legislative Assembly.
Jammu and Kashmir Financial Code stipulates that no works should be commenced until a properly detailed design and estimate has been sanctioned and funds to cover the charge during the year have been provided by the competent authority. Due diligence in survey, planning and ensuring availability of funds as well as land is thus a pre-requisite for efficient execution of projects and avoiding cost and time over-run.
The CAG audit, however, noticed that projects valued at Rs 43.95 crore were held up due to changes in design after approval of works or due to lack of encumbrance free site which indicated lack of due diligence in site survey and designs at the technical approval stage. Consequently, expenditure of Rs 26.92 crore (61% of the estimated cost of the works) was rendered unfruitful.
The Committee on Public Accounts, while holding deliberations on the audit report of the CAG, asked the R&B Department to specify the reasons for violation of J&K Financial Code and inordinate delay in completion of works.
The House Panel sought to know the reasons for non-execution of balance work of the bridges over last five years; reasons for non-release of funds for completion of balance works; reasons for non-construction of approach roads in respect of various bridges taken up under Special Bridge Programme; steps taken for release of balance funds and the steps that had been taken for construction of approach roads for these bridges mentioning the latest status of the bridges.
Moreover, the Committee on Public Accounts asked the R&B Department to specifically explain the reasons for non-release of funds for construction of foot suspension bridge at Margi Warwan in Kishtwar; reasons for change of design of overhead pedestrian crossing bridge at Khanabal and suspension bridge to motorable bridge over Phoru nullah in Baramulla.
In response to the queries of the Committee on Public Accounts, the R&B Department stated that department was doing its utmost efforts to execute the works in a planned manner and due diligence in survey and planning is exercised for efficient execution of projects and avoiding cost and time over-run.
“The works are being executed on most economic and competitive rates. However, in certain cases circumstantial exigencies warrant change in design and revised Detailed Project Reports have been prepared and got approved by the competent authorities”, the R&B Department told the Committee on Public Accounts, adding “the works are being taken in hand after ensuring encumbrance free land. However, inspite of best efforts dispute arise in some cases which cannot be anticipated”.
Contesting the findings of the CAG, the R&B Department submitted before the House Panel that expenditure in respect of most the bridges and other works was not unfruitful but a long term policy for best utilization of Government funds.
As far as settlement of land disputes is concerned, the R&B Department told the House Panel that efforts were being made to settle this issue.
However, the R&B Department faced embarrassment before the Committee on Public Accounts as the latter expressed complete dis-satisfaction over the reply. “The Committee is not satisfied with the reply furnished by the department”, reads its report, which was tabled in the Legislative Assembly few days back.
The Committee on Public Accounts has constituted two sub-committees in order to discuss the audit report of CAG regarding construction/reconstruction of bridges and construction/under construction of roads in J&K by PMGSY and NABARD.
“These sub-committees have been directed to submit reports as early as possible”, the Committee on Public Accounts said in the report.
Due to this, the shortcomings pointed out by the supreme audit institution of the country have remained unaddressed and the audit-para remained inconclusive.

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