(Image source from: Delhi government’s social welfare schemes have irregularities})

Auditor CAG has pointed out many discrepancies in the implementation of the social welfare schemes, including mid-day meal (MDM) and pulled up the Delhi government, for its failure to obtain fund utilisation certificates from the institutions.

"There were delays in obtaining utilisation certificates (UCs) from various grantee institutions for the grants released to them. Out of a total of 5,235 grants amounting to Rs 26,434.30 crore, which was given till March 2013, 4,784 UCs amounting to Rs 19,064.02 crore were awaited from various departments at the end of March 2014. Out of 4,784 outstanding UCs, 2,267 UCs (47.39%) amounting to Rs 5,651.17 crore were due for more than 10 years," the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) said in its report.

"Also, out of 2,102 samples of cooked meals, a total of 1,876 samples (89%) failed tests for nutritive value during 2010-14. The enrolment, attendance and retention of children in schools could not be enhanced," said the auditor report.

The CAG also points out with much concern that large balances amounting to Rs 1,151.65 crore as on March 31, 2014 were outstanding under "suspense heads". In 2009-10, the balance under this head was Rs 101.02 crore, it rose to Rs 158.81 crore in 2010-11 and went up further in 2011-12 to Rs 215.62 crore.

In 2012-13 it was Rs 273.78 crore and it suddenly shot to Rs 1,151.65 crore in 2013-14.

By Premji