Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, March 30:
Even as the current fiscal is about to wind up, the restrictions placed on the encashment of bills for works taken up under the Plan schemes have been lifted paving the way for yet another huge overdraft likely to be incurred by the State Government.
The decision to give the green signal for the bills to be encashed was discussed during an all Ministers, all Commissioners, all Secretaries and heads of departments meeting convened straight on the arrival of the Chief Minister today from New Delhi, said a well placed source.
The Chief Minister decided to release the pending bills for works taken up under Plans after the Deputy Chairman of the Planning Commission told him in clear cut terms, that if the State Govt cannot utilise the funds released this year fully, then there will no question of hiking the Plan allocation next year.
Accordingly Ibobi issued an instruction from New Delhi yesterday itself and an order to lift the restrictions on encashment of bills under the Plan was issued.
The order issued yesterday laid down that the bills for works taken up under the Plan schemes may be released subject to financial norms.
The earlier practice of using the LOC to encash Plan bills has also been done away with.
Apart from reviewing the financial position of the State, strict instructions were also given to all the officials concerned to ensure that the bills are cleared in accordance with the laid down guidelines.
To ensure that the works are executed properly after the bills are encashed, the meeting decided to constitute a high level committee with the Chief Secretary as the Chairman to monitor the progress and quality of the work, added the source.
In case any guidelines are flouted, responsibility will be fixed and the heads of departments have been directed to see everything is done according to the books.
However restrictions have been placed on encashment of bills for Central sponsored schemes taken up under the CPS, NEC, NCDC and other schemes like PMGSY, BADP, AIBP, EAP, without authorisation from the Finance Budget.
The ban on encashment of bills placed on Govt Departments has also been lifted.