CAG raps Raj govt for zero spend on schemes to empower women CAG cautions govt on PSU losses
FACING THE MUSIC Report says three crucial projects show lack of emphasis on implementation of gender budgeting by Raje govt
The Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG) has pulled up the Rajasthan government for not spending a single rupee from the funds allocated for three gender-based schemes aimed at empowering women in 2015-16.
Two schemes — the Mission Gramya Shakti (MGS) and Dhan Laxmi Mahila Samridhi Kendra (DLMSK) — fall under the women and child development department, while the National Rural Livelihood Mission (NRLM) comes under the rural development and panchayati raj department. The CAG report says no expenditure was incurred under the MGS scheme, aimed at strengthening self-help groups, against the provision of ₹16.60 crore made for the fiscal year.
In its response, the women and child development department told CAG officials that the scheme could not be implemented due to non-approval of the MGS’ work plan by the finance department.
The DLMSK scheme, for its part, was introduced with the objective of effecting socio-economic empowerment of women by training self-help groups and providing platforms for marketing products. However, the CAG noted that no expenditure was incurred against the programme’s budgetary provision of ₹11.89 crore during 2015-16. Department authorities said this was due to non-receipt of documents required for constructing buildings for the Centre.
The CAG report further noted that there was zero expenditure under NRLM, despite the allocation of ₹129.60 crore. The rural development and panchayati raj department blamed non-receipt of funds from the Centre for this.
The National Rural Livelihood Project (NRLP) also found a mention, given that only ₹8.23 crore of its total allocation of ₹31.19 crore was used. “Nil expenditure on three gender-based schemes, and 26% expenditure on one scheme, show lack of emphasis on implementation of gender budgeting,” the report concluded.
Reacting to the findings, Kavita Srivastava of the People’s Union for Civil Liberties said, “It is shocking that so much funding remained unutilised. This goes to show that women empowerment is not a priority for the Rajasthan government.”
The Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG) has warned the Rajasthan government that continued use of borrowed funds for investments that do not yield sufficient financial returns would lead to unsustainable financial position.
The CAG in its report has stated that in view of the huge losses of some state-owned public sector undertakings (PSUs), the government may consider reviewing their working. Besides, the government needs to ensure the financial and operational efficiency of the power distribution companies (discoms).
As on March 31, 2016, the government invested ₹37,414.62 crore in 47 government companies, seven statutory corporations, two rural banks, 25 joint stock companies, cooperative banks, and societies. The average return on the investment was 0.1%-0.4% during 2011-16, while the government paid an average interest of 6.7% to 7.7% on its borrowings. Therefore, the return on investment of the state was very low, the report stated.
Cupid struck a young tribal man from Jharkhand’s West Singhbhum — twice.
Rajesh Devgam, 23, a resident of Kamharhatu locality in Chaibasa town, dated two girls — Sukhmati Gope and Rita Biruli — but preferred to tie the knot with Gope. Feeling jilted, Biruli protested and mounted pressure on Devgam to marry her instead. Sensing the gravity of the situation, Gope suggested a middle path to save the 23-year-old.
She asked Devgam to marry both the women, since polygamy is acceptable in tribal society. Gope did not stop there.
She approached Devgam’s father, Ghanshyam Devgam, a retired police constable, and Biruli’s father with the proposal, pleading with them to allow both the weddings. The elders of the three families agreed to the proposal after initial reluctance.
At a function held in the groom’s house on Monday evening, Devgam married both the women with full tribal rituals. Hundreds of villagers attended the unique wedding, where the groom sat in the middle, flanked by his two brides.
The brides pledged to ensure peace and tranquillity in the house.