By Our Reporter
SHILLONG, Jan 6: Despite framing guidelines for implementing the Special Town and Rural Welfare Programme, the Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG) report has revealed that the KHADC failed to ensure the submission of vouchers or utilisation certificates (UCs) by Members for Rs 168 lakh out of Rs 182 lakh disbursed as grants, which translates to around 92 per cent of the issued funds.
The report for year ending March 31, 2019, tabled during the Council’s winter session in December last year, recommended that the Council maintain proper accounts with relevant supporting documents to ensure the programme funds are used for legitimate purposes. The CAG further suggested that the Council should establish appropriate rules to regulate discretionary grants given to the MDCs and ensure their proper accounting.
The KHADC had introduced the “Council Scheme on Special Town and Rural Welfare Programme” to provide assistance to below-poverty-line (BPL) families facing acute hardships and to encourage them to take up meaningful and sustainable self-employment initiatives. According to the scheme guidelines, the programme was to be implemented through the MDCs to ensure maximum and wide coverage of areas. Funds were released directly to the MDCs, who were responsible for utilising them transparently and submitting UCs along with supporting vouchers within six months of the release of funds.
During 2018-19, the KHADC, with the approval of its Executive Committee, sanctioned Rs 182 lakh as grants under the programme. Of this, Rs 24 lakh was released on April 12, 2018, and Rs 158.00 lakh on January 15, 2019, to its Members. The funds were distributed among seven MDCs, who received Rs 24 lakh collectively, seven MDCs who received Rs 6 lakh each, and 14 MDCs who received Rs 8 lakh each. The disbursements were made with the condition that UCs must be submitted within six months from the date of release.
The CAG found that while the Secretary of the Executive Committee disbursed the sanctioned funds (Rs 24 lakh on April 13, 2018, and Rs 158 lakh on January 21, 2019), only two MDCs submitted UCs and supporting vouchers amounting to Rs 14 lakh. These funds were reportedly used to provide materials such as utensils and tarpaulins to a women’s self-help group (SHG) and cash assistance to 128 individuals for purposes like house repairs, purchasing CGI sheets, textbooks, and other essential items.
However, for the remaining Rs 168 lakh, there was no record of UCs or details of beneficiaries, including BPL families, SHGs, NGOs, or individuals involved in self-employment activities, women’s empowerment, or supporting people with disabilities. In the absence of necessary documentation, the audit could not verify the expenditure of Rs 168 lakh, raising concerns about the proper utilisation of these funds.
The Secretary to the Executive Council, KHADC, admitted in August 2022 that despite issuing multiple reminders, the defaulting MDCs had failed to submit the required UCs. The CAG emphasised the importance of proper documentation to ensure accountability and transparency in the use of public funds.