Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, March 20 2009:
Though the overall financial position of the State in terms of revenue, fiscal and primary deficit is claimed to have been improved significantly during 2007-08 fiscal , the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) of India, in its report for Manipur for year ending March 31 , 2008, has exposed financial defaults in some of the State run Departments and Units.
In the report, the CAG pointed out that as many as 663 Abstract Contingent (AC) bills involving Rs 601.48 crore that have been drawn by 47 Departments during 2003-08 were outstanding to be adjusted through Detailed Countersigned Contingent (DCC) bills.
Among other things, the report of the CAG also maintained that the implemen- tation of the Mid-Day-Meal scheme in Manipur was unsatisfactory and failed to achieve the objective of universalization of elementary education and improvement in the nutritional status of the children.
Furthermore, it said that the inaction of the Agriculture Department to get back 287 pump-sets or to realize their cost has subjected the Government to a loss of Rs 77.62 lakh.
Three cheques amounting to Rs 9.45 lakh issued in the name of one contractor by the Sadar hills division of the Public Works Department (PWD) were encashed without entering in the cash book and �appears to be misappropriated', the report observed.
Measurement of a layer of water bound macadam of a hill road undertaken by the PWD's Tamenglong division was recorded with abnormal and unconventional specification resulting in excess payment of Rs 21.34 lakh.
The report also pointed out that the Youth Affairs and Sports Department had incurred an �avoidable expenditure' of Rs 1.05 crore on account of surcharge on electricity bills due to non-payment of bills on time and lack of scrutiny of bill.
It said the cost of collection of taxes on vehicles in Manipur during 2005-08 ranged from 45.77 to 52.99 percent of the revenue collected, which is very high when compared with the all India average cost of collection of 2.47 per cent for the year 2006-07. The Manipur Tribal Development Corporation Ltd failed to deposit revenue amounting to Rs 45.36 lakh being sales tax/VAT deducted from the bills of contractors while the Manipur cement limited suffered loss of plant and machinery worth Rs 56.47 lakh owing to non disposal of assets, the report also pointed out.