BHOPAL: The report of the CAG has exposed the tall claims of the state government. The BJP had made the Atal Jyoti Yojana, under which, it was claimed, power would be supplied round-the-clock, which served as its electoral plank in the 2013 polls. A series of programmes were organised in different parts of the state in connection with this scheme and crores were splurged on them.
The CAG report categorically says that the target of supplying power round-the-clock in rural areas was never met. The target of completing separation of 843 feeders in the first phase and of 704 feeders in the second phase could not be completed and that put paid to government’s plans of ensuring round-the-clock power supply.
The report also says that undue benefits were extended to the contractors handling the feeder separation work. In case of delay in completion of work, interest was charged on the adjusted amount whereas according to the conditions laid down in the tender, it had to be charged on unadjusted amount. This led to a loss of Rs 25 crore to the government. The government also lost Rs 12 crore due to changes in the conditions of the contract by the western region power distribution company.
Police banking on old weapons
The CAG report makes sharp comments on the police modernisation project of the state government. It says that in December, 2016, the police was short of 24,000 modern weapons. This means that the force was using old weapons. It also says there are not enough policemen in the state. There is shortage of housing for them and they have much lesser number of vehicles than needed.
Civil Supplies Corporation lost Rs 446 crore
The CAG report said delay in claiming subsidy amount on purchase of paddy and wheat from the Centre led to the state civil supply corporation being forced to take loan from the market on which it had to pay an interest of Rs 157 crore. As the food grains purchased were not stored properly, they got damaged leading to a loss of Rs 107 crore. Rs 176 crore had to be paid as interest for buying more gunny bags than needed. The corporation suffered a loss of Rs 6 crore due to poor storage of corn.
Wrong payment to Wipro
The contract for purchase of software for e-registration had a provision for upgradation. But Rs 1.53 crore was paid to Wipro for software upgradation. There was delay of six years in developing the software but the penalty of Rs 82 lakh was not imposed on Wipro. The report says that the software has bugs which may allow the same property to be sold to two or more persons.
VAT relief costs crores
The report said that a relief of Rs 291 crore was given to VAT assesses who went in appeal. The government did not choose the option of making a second appeal. A relief of Rs 434 crore was given to tax payers without consulting the assessment officers.
