Bhubaneswar, Dec 6: The Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG) on Monday indicted the Odisha government for failing to meet targets of electrification, provision of drinking water and construction of roads under the ‘Biju Kandhamal O Gajapati Yojana’ (BKGY) due to delayed approval of different projects.
According to the report, which was tabled in the Odisha Assembly the State government had started BKGY in 2009-10 emphasizing on electrification, means of livelihood and social security through projects. However, the scheme has failed to meet the desired result. It further noted that due to delay in taking decisions at the government level, Collectors were unable to purchase computers as a consequence of which the State government incurred a loss of Rs 1.28 crore. Irregularities in the maintenance of rural roads have resulted in the delay in completion of work within the stipulated time period. On account of which contractors were fined Rs 5.77 crore. But penalties are yet to be realized from them.
Similarly, in nine other cases, penalty amounting to less than Rs 5.25 crore has been recovered from the contractors, the report has stated. Moreover, delay in identification of land provided by the Home department and delayed completion of construction of Police Training School has deprived the state government of Central assistance to the tune of Rs 17.50 lakh. Besides, equipment worth Rs 2.06 crore have been shifted elsewhere, the CAG has pointed in its report.
The CAG has pointed out that Rs 6.41 crore in shape of compensation to 2410 persons whose private lands were acquired for government purpose remains outstanding for failure to calculate compensation amount within stipulated time.
