• CAG Report points to State Government’s inaction
• As of March 31, 2015 there were 34 cases of misappropriations and loss amounting to Rs. 616 crores in 15 departments
Morung Express News
Dimapur | April 12
Pervasive Corruption of multi-dimensional nature seems to be thriving in Nagaland State due to government inaction at all levels. Or so this year’s CAG report suggests.
The Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG) on State Finances for the year ended 31 March 2015 was recently tabled in State Legislative Assembly but given a silent burial at the implementation level.
Timely submission of utilization certificates (UCs) is a major area of concern, it noted, highlighting that at the end of March 31, 104 UCs involving an aggregate amount of Rs. 217 crore were pending for submission even after a lapse of one to five years from various departments.
Additionally, CAG said that as of March 31, 2015 there were 34 cases of misappropriations, defalcation or loss amounting to Rs. 616 crores in 15 departments pending finalisation. The story is same every year.
Business as usual
According to CAG, while the cases of anomalies are reported each year, the case often lies inactive at the implementation level. For instance, out of the 34 cases reported this year, the age profile of the cases range from 0-10 years with the government or respective department/s failing to act on the matter.
A careful analysis of the report further depicts how administrative apathy and inaction has resulted in these ‘business-as-usual’ responses to such findings, and corruption continues unabated.
For instance, most of the cases (30 nos.) are still are waiting departmental or criminal investigation reflecting the inaction at the implementation level. Only 3 cases have reached the Court of Law so far.
The highest amount of misappropriation and loss amounting to Rs. 402.66 Crore involves two cases in Food and Civil Supply department where final action has not been taken by the State Government, CAG maintained. Youth Resources Department at Rs. 74.38 crores is the second highest, ironically followed by the Finance Department at Rs. 43.69 crores. Case-wise, the Health & Family Welfare has the highest number, with 9 cases of misappropriation and defalcation.
Transparency International said corruption thrives where temptation meets permissiveness; where institutional checks are missing; where decision making is opaque; and where civil society is disempowered.
Looking at CAG Report, one can safely assert that Nagaland is the most fertile ground for corruption to thrive unabated.
