Audit flags transparency, accountability concerns in uniform purchases by Chandigarh welfare dept

During the test check of the records of the procurement of winter and summer uniform for the use of children (boys and girls) in the age group of three to six enrolled and actually attending the Anganwadi centres of UT Chandigarh for the financial year 2022-2023, it was noticed that the uniforms from Model Jail, Chandigarh were purchased for 450 centres.

The audit observed that the aforementioned purchases, amounting to Rs 85,80,432, were not made through GeM and even without inviting tenders.

“No GeM procurement procedures were followed for these items, as evident from the records. This deviation from standard procurement procedures raises concerns about transparency, accountability, and potential financial losses. Non-compliance with GeM guidelines and tendering processes may lead to overpricing and compromised quality of goods or services,” the report mentioned.

The Social Welfare Department of Chandigarh is operating various welfare schemes and institutions for the welfare of Scheduled Castes, Other Backward Classes, Persons with Disabilities, women and children, and other vulnerable sections of the society.

The audit and inspection of the accounts of the Office of Director, Social Welfare, Women and Child Development Department, Chandigarh for the period 2023-24 to 2024-25 was conducted by an audit party from July 4 to July 22.

The report mentioned that as per Rule 147 of GFR 2017, the Ministries or Departments have been delegated full powers to make their own arrangements for procurement of goods and services that are not available on GeM. All common use goods and services available on GeM are required to be procured mandatorily through GeM as per Rule 149.

The Government of India has established the GeM for purchasing common use goods and services. The procurement of goods and services by Ministries or Departments is mandatory for goods or services available on GeM.

The Social Welfare Department stated that due process was followed and the procurement was carried out in compliance with applicable rules and departmental guidelines. It said that in future all the procurement will be done through GeM and as per General Financial Rules (GFR).

R K Garg, activist who sought the audit report through the RTI said, “The UT chief secretary may order monitoring the audit objections and all compliances as soon as possible. Lack of implementation of welfare schemas should be viewed seriously”.