Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, September 28:
Following strong instruction from Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) of India, the State Finance Department has asked all the heads of department to initiate action including disciplinary proceedings in connection with the discrepancies noted in the Audit Report, 2002-03.According to a highly places source, State Finance Department has given instruction to all the heads of department for sending the Action Taken Notes (ATNs) on each Audit Paragraph and Reviews appeared in the Audit Report, 2002-03 for reviewing.
The ATNs would have to be reviewed by Public Accounts Committee (PAC) and Committee on Public Undertakings (COPU) of State Assembly after getting the nod from Account General of Manipur.
In this regard, CAG had written a letter to Chief Minister O Ibobi Singh in July and subsequently to Chief Secretary AP Sharma reminding the recommendation made by Sakdhar Committee for taking up suo motu action on all the audit paras and reviews appearing in the Audit Report immediately after it was placed on the House and sending the Action Taken Notes (ATNs) to PAC and COPU.
In its letter to Chief Minister, CAG had specifically pointed out that the fiscal situation of Manipur has been deteriorating over the years with growth of revenue receipts lower than the rate of growth of GSDP and revenue expenditure.
Further, the capital receipts obtained through borrowings were hardly available for development expenditure as repayments exceeded receipts.
The letter noted impact of the policies of the State Government in the fields of education, health, transport, communication, irrigation, agriculture, urban development and power sector was insignificant during 2002-03.The source said with regard to implementation of various activities in schemes under the provisions of Persons with Disability Act, 1995, CAG observed it was ineffective as the Government had not released Rs 2.37 crores out of the Central assistance of Rs 2.57 crores.