The Comptroller and Auditor-General of India (CAG) has recommended to the Delhi government to prepare “realistic” budget estimates to avoid non-utilisation of funds and supplementary provisions.
The Comptroller and Auditor-General of India (CAG) has recommended to the Delhi government to prepare “realistic” budget estimates to avoid non-utilisation of funds and supplementary provisions. In its audit report for the year 2014-15, the CAG has pointed out that Rs 6,093.85 crore remained unutilised indicating that the budget was not prepared after adequate scrutiny of projects and schemes.
The audit report, which was tabled in the Delhi Assembly on Thursday, said that against a total provision of Rs 37,117.99 crore, an expenditure of only Rs 31,024.14 crore was incurred which resulted in savings of Rs 6,093.85 crore. It said that the scrutiny of the year 2014-15 showed that provision under various sub-heads under the Centrally Sponsored Schemes and Scheduled Caste Sub-Plans (CSS and SCSP) was made during the year. “The entire provisions of Rs 265.82 crore remained unutilised, defeating the original purpose for which the budget provision was passed by the Legislative Assembly.”
Indicating that the budget estimates were not prepared after adequate pre-budget scrutiny of projects and schemes, the main reasons for non-utilisation of funds were attributed by the CAG to non-implementation of schemes, non-receipt of funds from Centre government and release of less grants.
The report said that major schemes which failed to take off or suffered due to non-utilisation of entire provision were — grant to DSIIDC for construction of houses for weaker section (Rs 130 crore); grants-in-aid to East Delhi Municipal Corporation for JNNURM (Rs 30 crore); Loan to Indraprastha Institute of Information Technology (Rs 70 crore)’ Equity capital to DTC for purchases of buses (Rs 69.82 crore); Loan to MRTS for reimbursement of central taxes (Rs 348 crore); loan to DJB for Chandrawal WTP (Rs 30 crore); equity contribution to JVC power plant at Jhajjar (Rs 72.60 crore) and loan to cover gap in resources (Rs 330 crore).
The CAG said that during the year substantial surrenders involving Rs 997.93 crore were made which can be attributed to slow progress of work, release of less grant/loan and non-implementation of scheme. The report recommended that the government may consider taking up the matter with Public Account Committee Secretariat.
