CAG finds anomalies in reconstruction works in Uttarakhand

A CAG report on reconstruction works in Uttarakhand has shed light into the mismanagement by the state government. The state government could not make full use of the rebuilding package that the Center had approved to compensate for the disaster in 2013. In nearly five years, the government has completely failed to spend Rs 2,551 crore. Despite the receipt of approved Rs. 319.75 crore under the Special Organizational Assistance Rehabilitation Scheme of the Center, the State Government has not released the funds. As a result, it was not possible to build a ropeway between Gaurikund and Kedarnath.

According to the report, due to non-release of funds, the construction of sheltered co-godowns could not be done nor the development work of the second phase of Kedarnath Township and the work of other temples could be expedited. Not only this, under this package, the government could not accept the funds for the formation of 10 Industrial Training Institute to train the youth of the affected areas.

At the same time, the quality of 61% of the roads built under the rebuilding package has been considered as weak by the state’s Public Works Department. This disclosure is in the report of the Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG). On Friday, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Prakash Pant presented the report to the House on the floor.

According to the report, under the medium and long term reconstruction package, the work done by the State Government of 3,708 crores has also revealed many serious flaws. Work on reconstruction could not begin on time due to delays in the release of money by the state government and slow proessing by the concerned departments.

The drawbacks that the CAG report disclosed

• The work stopped even after receiving funds from the center as the state government did not give permission or released the funds.
• The package of reconstruction work included such work, which was not damaged in the disaster.
• Budget spent, unlike prescribed standards, exemption was given in construction work.
• Irrigation, Forest, Public Works Department failed to keep accurate assessment of their assets
• Planning for reconstruction work, flaws in fund management, not completed approved work on time
• Did not raise the need to form monitoring and quality testing as a centralized mechanism.
• 10 roads and bridges, two tourist establishments related to work not complete even after five years
• Three small hydro projects and 17 public buildings were not built till March 2018.
• Five construction works in the forest area have not started even after more than five years.
• The benefits of the package of Rs 246 crore did not get proper proposals.
• 61% of the roads built in the reconstruction of the roads were considered poor by the Public Works Department of Uttarakhand.