UP diverted ₹65.87 cr from SDRF to procure equipment for Kumbh, observes CAG
There were instances of execution of work at higher prices and non- adherence to the orders of government, says report
The UP government diverted ₹65.87 crore from the State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF) for procurement of rescue equipment for Kumbh Mela-2019 in violation of central government guidelines, the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) of India claimed in a report.
The report on general and social sector for the year ending March 31, 2019 was tabled by parliamentary affairs minister Suresh Khanna in the UP legislative assembly on Thursday. According to central government guidelines, the SDRF fund is utilised for providing immediate relief to victims of notified disasters. Rather than diverting funds for procurement of equipment for Kumbh mela, the state government should have made provision from its budget, observed the CAG.
The report stated that the state government had mentioned that the Kumbh Mela-2019 organised from January 15 to March 4 2019 at Prayagraj was very successful and over 240 million people visited the Mela. Yet, the expenditure incurred was over and above the government sanctions. As a result, payments to contractors were still pending, it added.
There were instances of execution of work at higher prices/cost and non- adherence to the orders of government. Management of solid waste was not adequately addressed.
The CAG noticed that the Public Works Department executed six works, costing ₹1.69 crore, related to road repairs and painting of roadside trees without financial sanctions. Besides, the information and public relations department allotted works to the tune of ₹29.33 crore against the allocation of ₹14.67 crore for promotion of Kumbh Mela through electronic and print media.
The Kumbh Mela Authority failed to effectively monitor the issue and return of tentage items from various institutions due to which the vendor claimed payment for compensation of ₹21.75 crore on account of missing tin, tent and furniture, stated the report.
The urban development department did not adhere to the prescribed timelines due to which 58 permanent and 11 temporary works were not completed by the start of the Kumbh Mela. Due to inefficient procurement process by the home department, fire vehicles, baggage scanners, digital radio HF sets and drone cameras worth ₹7.83 crore procured for the Mela were either not received or utilised during Kumbh.
The CAG further noticed that there was over estimation of ₹3.11 crore in estimates for road works, excess expenditure of ₹95.75 lakh on construction of nine roads, short deposit of performance security of ₹6.33 crore by contractors, avoidable expenditure of ₹3.24 crore on barricading works and ₹8.75 crore on fiber reinforce plastic toilet works and excess payment of ₹1.27 crore was made to contractors. Audit scrutiny revealed that three works were awarded to bidders who were not qualified for the bid on the basis of their bid capacity.
The management of municipal solid waste (MSW) was not addressed effectively. Due to the inoperative MSW processing plant, there was a massive scrapheap of MSW at Banswar plant site before Kumbh Mela that piled up further during the Mela. Quality assurance in the construction work was unsatisfactory because most of the tests prescribed for quality check were not carried out, the CAG observed.
The Kumbh Mela is organized at fixed intervals, the state government may frame norms and standards for quantity and quality of infrastructure and services required for visiting pilgrims.
Standard operating procedure for procurement of goods and materials.
Expenditure and budegtary controls should be tightened in accordance with rules and laws.
Process of selection of contractors/suppliers should be transparent, fair, competitive and in sync with the provisions of financial rules.
Waste management, infrastructure and facilities should be augmented at appropriate scale to provide safe, hygienic and healthy environment for visitors during the Mela.