RTI reply reveals holes in use of 2012 drought-relief funds

A weak monsoon in 2012 had led to a drought, which was severe in revenue division of Pune, Nashik, Aurangabad and Vidarbha. Records show that the central government approved Rs 778.09 crore for drought relief. The money was released in 2013 and used by the state government to set up fodder camps and take up other mitigation measures. The state government had also started schemes to ensure drought-affected villages get water.

One of the conditions set by the central government before releasing money to the state government was monthly filing of expenditure details. However, during an audit of the office of the additional chief secretary (Revenue and Forest Department) it was found that the state government failed to adhere to this condition. The matter cropped up when the Auditor General of Maharashtra made the audit.

As per the report, the state government disbursed Rs 684.29 crore in 2012-13 for setting up fodder depots and animal sheds in various districts. An advance of Rs 675 crore was drawn from the contingency fund for animals and Rs 38.50 crore, Rs 23 crore and Rs 3.5 crore disbursed to divisional commissioners of Pune, Nashik and Aurangabad respectively. The divisional commissioners were asked to submit monthly expenditure statements by the 10th of every month.

“On scrutiny of relevant records, it was noticed that neither any expenditure details nor any utilization certificates were obtained by department from the districts/divisions concerned,” the report read.

In the case of Jalgaon, auditors noticed that Rs 123.50 crore of the Rs 157.42 crore sanctioned had been released. The auditor pointed out that the money was disbursed, although in a letter dated  March 23, 2013, the Jalgaon district collector had stated there were no drought-affected villages in the district. “While informing the government about the situation for 2011-12 and 2012-13, collector Jalgaon stated there were no villages whose ‘paisevari was 50 paisa peksha kami (the term for declaring drought),” the report read.

Allegations of mismanagement of funds meant for drought-affected villages were raised by the then opposition parties. Senior administrative officers associated with Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said that the matter will be looked into.