Mokokchung, 23 February (MTNews): The All India Anti Corruption Organization (AICO) Nagaland has demanded a thorough CBI probe into the alleged misappropriation of subsidized kerosene oil and fraudulent payments within the Public Health Engineering Department (PHED) related to the execution of drainage works under the Swachh Bharat Mission (Gramin) in Nagaland.
The demand comes on the heels of a scathing report by the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) of India, which has uncovered a series of misdeeds that have raised serious questions about the utilization of public funds.
Misuse of Subsidized Kerosene Oil
The CAG report, part of the comprehensive assessment of various sectors, including Social, Economic, General, and Revenue, for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2022, exposes the Nagaland government’s violation of the Centre’s directives in diverting Superior Kerosene Oil (SKO) worth Rs 19.56 crore to the open market. This misallocation, equivalent to 6113.19 kilo litres (KL), was identified through an exhaustive examination of both central and state data.
The discrepancy was first noted in the records of the Food & Civil Supplies (F&CS) Directorate Dimapur, revealing a significant shortfall of 525 KL during 2019-21. The Department had reported lifting only 13,752 KL of SKO from IOCL, but cross-checking with data from the Indian Petroleum & Natural Gas Statistics (2019-21) and IOCL’s data in July 2022 exposed the actual lift to be 17,367 KL.
Further, the report brings to light the allocation of 4,974 KL of SKO to 51 individuals/distributors, with no available records for the remaining quantity (1139.19 KL). Despite the government’s acknowledgment of the discrepancy in September 2022, concerns persist over the authenticity of the explanation provided.
PHED’s Drainage Works Scandal
In a parallel revelation, the CAG report exposes the Public Health Engineering Department’s (PHED) fraudulent payment due to the short/non-execution of drainage works under the Swachh Bharat Mission (Gramin). The report, covering the year ending March 30, 2020, reveals that the Executive Engineer, PHED (Urban) Dimapur Division, overlooked due diligence in verifying executed quantities before approving bills, resulting in a fraudulent payment of Rs 90.54 lakh for non-execution of 2,338 meters of drainage works in 18 villages.
Moreover, the report highlights discrepancies in the construction of 6,540 meters of drainage with bricks in 35 villages, with only 29 villages involved. Joint Physical Verification (JPV) in February 2021 exposed significant disparities, indicating short/non-executions of 2,338 meters.
The government’s response attributing the shortfall to flash floods and ongoing construction at the time of verification has been rejected by the CAG, raising doubts about the explanations provided.
Excess Payments and Deviations in CSC Construction
The CAG further revealed excess payments of Rs 1.23 crore to a contractor by the PHED, allowing higher rates over the State Government-approved rate for constructing Community Sanitary Complexes (CSCs) under the Swachh Bharat Mission (Gramin). The report also identified deviations from approved designs and specifications, leading to excess payments to the tune of Rs 72.70 lakh.
The CAG has recommended that the State Government initiate a departmental inquiry and fix responsibility against officials involved in allowing higher rates and failing to exercise due diligence. AICO Nagaland, in light of these anomalies and misappropriations, has reiterated its demand for a thorough CBI probe to ensure accountability and transparency for the welfare of the Naga General Public.
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