“As the department could not account for unspent balance of Rs. 50.57 lakhs meant for implementation of IGMSY and SNP, there was an apparent danger of misappropriation of fund”- CAG report
Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General of India which was published yesterday indicates misappropriation of fund sanction under Indira Gandhi Matritva Sahyog Yojana (IGMSY) and Supplementary Nutrition Programme (SNP) by State Social Welfare department.
Indira Gandhi Matritva Sahyog Yojana (IGMSY) is a maternity benefit scheme whose objective is to improve the health and nutritional status of pregnant and lactating women and their young infants. A beneficiary of IGMSY receives a total cash incentive of Rs 4000 in three instalments. Supplementary Nutrition Programme (SNP) is primarily designed to bridge the gap between the Recommended Dietary Allowance and the Average Daily Intake of children (6 months to 6 years) and pregnant and lactating mothers under the Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) Scheme. A beneficiary of SNP receives food supplements as per the feeding and cost norms prescribed in the scheme.
The report said that the Director, Social Welfare Department drew (January – March 2012) Rs 10.25 crore for IGMSY and SNP through seven bills during January 2012 and March 2012.
It further added that scrutiny of the records (October 2014) of the Directorate of Social Welfare showed that Rs 10.25 crore was deposited during January 2012 and March 2012. Out of the amount deposited, the DDO made total payments of Rs 9.75 crore for IGMSY and SNP during April 2012 to February 2014 through 93 cheques. It was noticed that the bank balance in the Account was only Rs. 6,239 (14 October 2014). This leaves an unaccounted amount of Rs 50.51 lakh. There were no records to show that the amount has been spent. Thus, due to the failure of the Department to account for the unspent balance of 50.57 lakh meant for implementation of IGMSY and SNP, there was an apparent misappropriation of Rs 50.57 lakh.
The Director stated (November 2014) that the matter will be looked into. However , no further intimation in this regard has been received till date (February 2016) added the report.
