SHILLONG: Though the Comptroller and Auditor General ( CAG) of India unearths so many irregularities worth several crores of rupees related to the faulty functioning of various state government departments, the Government does not seem to take them seriously if one goes by the past records.
Whenever the reports are placed in the Assembly, the media faithfully reports them for weeks, but in vain as the purpose is not served.
Moreover, there is no follow up action on the reports of the CAG once they are tabled in the Assembly.
The usual system is that while preparing the CAG reports, the CAG seeks clarifications and replies from the concerned departments on the various anomalies.
Even if the replies are not submitted, the CAG prepares the report and table them in the Legislative Assembly.It is only when there is pressure that the findings are referred to the Public Accounts Committee of the Assembly, but the actions and recommendations are very often not followed by the Government.
Many irregularities worth several crores of rupees concerning the schemes and projects of Meghalaya Legislative Assembly were also unearthed in the past by the CAG, but in vain as there are no reports of any punishment awarded to the perpetrators of various anomalies.
Rajesh Singh, Accountant General, Meghalaya said that though the CAG is a constitutional body, its role is recommendatory in nature to create an accountability mechanism and whenever reports are finalized, they are placed before the Assembly for deliberation and further action.
There are two committees, the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) and Committee on Public Sector Undertakings to monitor the reports of CAG.These Committees have powers to pull up various departments in case of persistent irregularities.
According to sources, even after recommending actions by PAC, the Government departments very often fail to take necessary steps to correct the anomalies and take disciplinary actions against those involved in financial misappropriations. Assembly Speaker AT Mondal said that various reports of CAG are studied by PAC and he added that it is binding on the part of the departments to take necessary steps after recommendations are made by the PAC.
Rajesh Singh said while one way of ensuring accountability is the vigilant action of PAC by way of giving recommendations to the Government, another system is suo motu actions which can be taken by each department whenever certain findings are made known.
However, in many cases, suo-motu action is not coming from various Government departments. Asked about any mechanism which can give punitive powers to the CAG, the Accountant General said that this requires constitutional amendment. Countries like Zimbabwe and France have court system and the Accountant General with quasi judicial powers can summon the Government officials or heads of departments, but in India, a different system is
A few cases highlighted by CAG
Floating deck which sank in Umiam (CAG-1999-2000)
The MTDC had decided (1988) to commission Floating Sports Deck (FSD) cum restaurant and an Environment Boat to supply drinking water to FSD at Umiam Water sports complex at the cost of 33 lakh which ultimately sank in 1991. No effort was made to salvage it.
Cataract surgery (CAG-2000-01)
There is a huge backlog in cataract surgery and the coverage could not be expanded to keep pace with the magnitude of the problem despite availability of funds under health department.
Mawsmai coal depot (CAG-2001-02)
Setting up of a coal depot at Mawsmai without exploring its viability resulted in blocking up of fund of Rs 4.25 crore.
Lottery scam (CAG-2006-07)
Failure to incorporate a penal clause and the arbitrary action of the Government to withdraw a safeguard clause resulted in amended agreement for online draws, and this led to undue financial aid and non-realization of revenue of Rs 900.07 crore. The loss of revenue in running paper lottery is Rs 5,170.23 crore. Irregular reduction of rate of weekly draws led to loss of revenue of Rs 7.83 crore.
CGI sheets scam (CAG-2007-08)
Government money amounting to Rs 30 lakh stated to have been spent by the Community and Rural Development department on procurement for corrugated galvanized iron sheets for BPL families has been embezzled.
Inflated TA Bills from Assembly (CAG 2008-09)
Inflated TA bills worth Rs 1.67 crore submitted after the visit of 17 member Assembly delegation including legislators and two officials during their trip to foreign countries in 2006.
Danggo’s poultry coop (CAG-2009-10)
Assembly incurred an unauthorized expenditure of Rs 11.81 lakh based on a fictitious bill submitted by the contractor for construction of a poultry coop at the official residence of former Speaker MM Danggo.
Medicine purchase (CAG-2009-10)
Health and Family Welfare Department purchased meningococcal meningitis vaccine at higher rate and without immediate requirement resulting in avoidable extra expenditure of Rs 3.71 crore and blocking of Rs 3.43 crore.
