Funds released for incomplete projects

Probe demanded into irregularities by the GPs and the Sports Department

The Zilla Panchayat internal auditing report has exposed irregularities by the gram panchayat, and negligence by the Youth Service and Sports Department in terms of releasing funds under the PYKKA scheme.

Bills and certification of work have been submitted to the Youth Service and Sports Department over projects that remain unfinished to this day. The review team claimed that this is an effort to swindle available funds for the second installment of the project.

The auditing team reviewed accounts from January 20, 2010 to March 9, 2012, at the office of the Assistant Director of the Department. Based on the findings, a report has been submitted which has raised questions on the utilisation of funds at several instances.

Rs 15 lakh released

Under the Panchayat Yuva Kreeda aur Khel Abiyan (PYKKA) Scheme for the year 2009-10, Rs 15 lakh was released by the Department for the development of various sports grounds at schools and colleges.

The amount had been divided as to give each of the 15 gram panchayat’s one lakh each, and was to be released in two installments.  

Although the first installment was provided on time, the report says that only 25 per cent of work has been completed until now. Construction wok of tracks, football, kabaddi, kho-kho, volleyball courts and long-jump pits - most of which were to have been completed some time ago are still pending, the report said.

Probe demanded

Cheques worth 15,000 each had been given to the officers of the 15 gram panchayats. Despite this, development work has not been completed beyond 25 per cent. The report says that the Department should have reviewed the progress of work before releasing the second installment of funds.

The fact that panchayat officers had submitted certificates of work completed, which were false is also worrisome for auditors. “The panchayat officers have misled the government by giving wrong information and it has to be seen as a conspiracy to swindle money from the Government. A probe should be conducted by the engineers and a report should be submitted as soon as possible,” the audit team report said.

Amount unspent

According to the rules, funds released for development works should be utilised for the designated purpose within the deadline. After reviewing the work, a genuine certificate should be obtained by the officer concerned. Only after these procedures have been completed should proposals for the second installment be submitted.

Since this procedure was not followed, the auditors have demanded a probe in this matter and also recommended that action be taken against the guilty. “Until the probe is done and matter is cleared, the initial fund of Rs 15 lakh will be kept pending,” the report said.