Mail News Service
Imphal, July 25: Kitchen-cum-store (KCS) is an integral part of Mid day meal (MDM scheme). As per norms, Gol was to provide assistance up to a maximum of 60,000 per unit. In December 2009, Gol revised the norms and prescribe 20 square meter plinth area for construction of KCS in schools having up to 100 children with provision for additional area for additional children CAG report said. Test-check of records at the Directorate revealed that in 2006-07, Gol approved construction of KCS for 1174 schools and released Rs 7.04 crore in 2008-09. The work was awarded (March 2010) to National Mission on Bamboo Applications (NMBA) with target date of completion as March 2011. The entire amount was paid to NMBA lump sum in May 2010. As of June 2011, only 50 KCS valued at Rs. 30 lakh had been constructed leaving a balance of 1124 KCS valued at Rs. 6.74 crore incomplete even three months after the target date. Thus, NMBA was given undue benefit to the extent of Rs. 29.02 lakh, being the bank interest that could have been earned by the Department.
Schools visited by the audit team were found to fend for themselves for a place to cook MDM. Out of 66 schools visited 22 schools were without Kitchen Sheds and meal was cooked at Cook’s residences or in classrooms of the Schools. In the case of Bishnupur Kha Santipur (A) L.P, a classroom was utilised as a Kitchen Shed. Thus, denying KCS to such large number of schools had adverse impact on efficient implementation of the scheme. The Department (January 2012) stated that the full advance was paid as per MoU signed between Gol and GoM. Construction of KCSs was delayed as pre-fabricated bamboo walls had to be transported from Thiruvananthapuram through trouble prone National Highways (NH). However, since the NMBA was paid full amount upfront, delay of almost one year beyond target date was not justified. Moreover, the MoU gave an undue advantage to NMBA as it was devoid of any penalty clause for delay and states that cost overrun, if any, was to be borne by the department.
Test-check of DISE records revealed that as of September 2010, there were only 2,957 Government and aided schools in the State. Since KCS for 1,174 schools were already sanctioned during 2006-07 as stated above, the number of schools yet to be covered as of September 2010 was only 1,783 (2,957-1,174).
However, test-check of records at the Directorate revealed that based on GoM’s proposal (January 2011) as per revised norms ibid, Gol approved Rs. 40.82 crore for construction of 1,879 units of KCS and released (March 2011) Rs. 35.79 crore. Thus, GoM had proposed 96 KCS (1,879-1,783) valued at Rs. 2.09 crore92 is excess of actual requirement. The Department (January 2012) stated that number of schools has reduced because of amalgamation and abolition exercise taken up by GoM and the same was adjusted after duly reporting to Gol wherever necessary. This contention was not acceptable because the exercise of amalgamation and abolition of schools was already completed in June 2010 much before the fresh proposals were sent in January 2011. Hence, the Department was fully aware of the exact number of schools that were functioning.
, Gol was to provide assistance in a phased manner for provisioning and replacement of kitchen devices (KDs) at an average cost of Rs. 5,000 per school. On the basis of the actual requirements of the school expenditure can be incurred on (a) Cooking devices (Stove, Chulha etc.}, (b) Containers for storage of food grains and other ingredients and (c) Utensils for cooking and serving. Test-check of records at the Directorate revealed that Gol approved Rs. 72.85 lakh during 2006-07 for providing KDs to 1457 Primary and Upper Primary schools. The contract was awarded (February 2009) to M/S Arun Multi Agency, Imphal (agency) for supply of Water Container-(01 number); 34 Ltrs Water Filter (Brand Aqua Pure)-(01 number) and Stainless Steel Meal Plate-(10 numbers) to each school. The agency was paid Rs. 54.60 lakh95 up to May 2010. However, APRs for Rs. 52.85 lakh were furnished for only 1057 schools. Thus, material worth Rs. 1.75 lakh remained naccounted as on date of audit, though more than one year has passed since payment was made. Further, the water filters seen in the schools visited were not of the specified brand. As such, the agency was given undue benefit at the cost of the scheme.
The Department (January 2012) stated that payment was made based on APRs and photograph submitted by the agency. This, however, does not explain the whereabouts of the unaccounted KDs.
SSA in the state was being implemented without grassroot base line data; and as such the implementing framework of the programme was inherently weak. The programme also suffered due to short release and delay in release of funds, diversion of funds and irregularities in maintenance of bank accounts. At school level, there were wide aberrations in Pupil Teacher Ratio, as teachers were deployed in some schools with no enrolment and no teachers deployed in some schools with students. Delays in distribution of books and irregularities in supply in material meant that students would be at a disadvantage. Despite a trend of low attendance, foodgrains consumption for cent per cent attendance was reported in MDM scheme. There were irregularities in e-transferring of funds and the scheme was being implemented without proper kitchen-cum-stores in unhygienic conditions.
CAG recommended that household survey and its regular updating, being the prime requirement for proper planning, needs to be taken up with utmost seriousness.
Flow of funds and foodgrains under MDM should be managed as per schedule prescribed so that the benefits reach the targeted group as intended by the scheme in a regular time-bound manner and with all transparency.
Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/kitchen-cum-store-assistance-of-rs-7-cr-under-ssa-misused-cag/
