The Comptroller and Auditor General has pulled up the the Jammu and Kashmir government for “undue delay” in implementation of National Food Security Act and also criticised the public distribution department for “not reviewing” earlier the list of BPL families.
Taking into consideration the census figures of 2011, the CAG report tabled in the state Assembly here today said 26 per cent of the population in the state remained out of Targeted Public Distribution System (TPDS) coverage.
The shortfall in allocation vis-a-vis requirement ranged between 31 and 36 per cent in respect of wheat, and seven and 32 per cent in respect of rice under various schemes, it said.
Noting the “undue delay” in the implementation of National Food Security Act (NFSA), the report said the department had sought six months extension from the Centre which lapsed in October 2014 but “failed to implement” it till March 2015.
The report also came down heavily on the Consumer Affairs and Public Distribution (CAPD) Department for not reviewing the list of BPL families leading to issuing of food grains worth Rs 17.89 crore to ineligible families while depriving eligible BPL families.
“Further 1.09 lakh metric tonnes additional ad hoc food grains allocated by the government of India for ‘not covered BPL families’ had been distributed among existing BPL card holders during 2010-12,” the report said.
It said despite recommendations (November 2009) of the Public Accounts Committee, accounts continued to remain in arrears since 1973-74 and 1974-75 in respect of the Jammu and Kashmir divisions, respectively.
The CAG report also recommended a slew of measures to improve the functioning of CAPD, like reviewing the list of BPL beneficiaries, updating of accounts and strengthening of public distribution system (PDS) to extend benefits to targeted population. The department is to prepare proforma accounts immediately after the close of each financial year but not later than June 1 for certification by audit before September 30 each year.
“Due to non-preparation of accounts, the financial position and working results of the department could not be ascertained in audit,” the report said, adding, the department said that the accounts were in arrears since 1973-74 and it would be futile to prepare proforma accounts from any year in the middle without authentic opening balances available.
“It was further stated that the matter being policy decision, the directive in this regard from the government was awaited,” the report said.
The CAG said scrutiny of the records showed that the department had not revised the rate of wheat bran (a byproduct obtained during wheat grinding) during last seven years though market rates of wheat bran had increased threefold and reached to Rs 2,200 per quintal in May 2014 .
Audit analysis showed that the department had sold 2.06 lakh quintals of wheat bran to the millers from April 2013 to March 2015, sustaining a loss of Rs 15.45 crore on sale at old rate (Rs 750), the CAG said.
