PRIs in UP yet to get many rights: CAG report
ALLAHABAD: Only 16 of 29 functions pertaining to Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs) mentioned in the 11th Schedule of the Constitution have been devolved to them as of October 2016 in Uttar Pradesh, says the latest report of the Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG).
The report—Annual Technical Inspection Reports/Audit Report on Panchayati Raj institutions (2004-05 to 2015-16) and Urban Local Bodies (2004-05 to 2015-16) in respect of Uttar Pradesh—was presented to the legislative assembly in Lucknow on Tuesday, said PK Kataria, principal accountant general (general and social sector audit), UP, here.
Sharing audit findings included in the report for 2015-16, Kataria said the revenue realised (Rs 898.74 crore) by PRIs from their own sources compared to their total resources (Rs 30,696.07 crore) of 2011-16 was insignificant (3 per cent) indicating large dependency on the government grant for financing their activities.
“PRIs in the state suffered loss of resources of Rs 332.68 crore in 2011-12 as the grants released lapsed on account of not being drawn from treasuries by March 31, 2012. The grants released (Rs 1931.30 crore) by Government of India in 2015-16 was transferred to Gram Panchayats (GPs) after a delay of four days and consequently, Government of Uttar Pradesh had to incur an avoidable interest of Rs 1.64 crore. Further, the grant (Rs 1,909.18 crore) released by Government of India in 2015-16 was transferred to GPs by the State Government with a delay of 19 days but due interest of Rs 6.08 crore was not paid to GPs,” he said quoting the report.
During 2011-16, total grants received from Government of India (Rs 12,765.39 crore) and from the state government (Rs 17,031.94 crore) by PRIs in the state were reported to have been utilised but audit noticed substantial unutilised balances (Rs 172.82) in test checked 202 PRIs (10 ZPs, 26 KPs and 166 GPs) at the end of March 2016, the reports says. Accounting in PRIASoft incorporated all the formats (eight formats) prescribed by CAG. However, audit discovered that out of the eight formats, reports in only three formats (annual receipt and payment account, consolidated abstract register and monthly reconciliation statement) were being generated by zila panchayats (ZPs) and kshetra panchayats (KPs). In GPs, only annual receipt and payment account and consolidated abstract register were being generated. Weak financial management of PRIs led to available funds not being utilised leaving a balance of Rs 172.82 crore in the test checked PRIs at the end of March 2016. During 2011-16, test checked 26 KPs and 166 GPs drew funds Rs 84.93 crore and Rs 262.09 crore from their Kshetra Nidhi and Gram Nidhi without passing their annual budgets though required under their Acts, the auditors have found.