How Chandigarh turned its back on drug addicts and couples in distress

The Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment had launched the National Action Plan for Drug Demand Reduction (NAPDDR) on August 15, 2020, which is an umbrella scheme under which financial assistance is provided to ‘State Governments/ Union Territory (UT) Administrations for Preventive Education, Awareness Generation, identification, counseling, treatment and rehabilitation of individuals, training and capacity building of the service providers through the collaboration of Central and state government and NGOs.

“During test check of record of the Director, Social Welfare, Women and Child Development, UT, Chandigarh for the year 2021-23, it was noticed that the 12 components are admissible for providing the financial assistance to the beneficiaries by the Social Welfare Department under NAPDDR.

However, the Director, Social Welfare had not provided any financial assistance for the treatment and rehabilitation, setting the quality standards, intervention in vulnerable areas, skill development, vocational training, accreditation for organizations, monitoring surveillance & evaluation and social audit, while the funds of Rs.81,49,992 (which is 81 lakh) was available as on 31.03.2022 as per the Bank statement.

Thus, the scheme is not being implemented properly while the funds for the scheme were available,” the audit report specified.

The department mentioned that “this has resulted in blockade of funds amounting to Rs 81.49 lakh, due to non-utilising the funds for various components of the scheme” and that it also forfeits the purpose for which NAPDDR Scheme was launched.

The reasons for non-implementation of the NAPDDR scheme despite having availability of funds was called but no reply was furnished by the department.

INADMISSIBLE: Expenditure on creches Rs 24.59 lakh

The Director, Social Welfare, Women and Child Development, U.T, Chandigarh sanctioned Rs1,80,65,926 in favour of Indian Council for Child Welfare for the running of 50 creches for the year 2021-22.

“During test check of record of Director, Social Welfare, Women and Child Development, UT, Chandigarh for the period 2021-23 related to the payments made to the Indian Council for Child Welfare, UT, Chandigarh for the period 2021-22, it was noticed that the Council incurred expenditure Rs 2,05,25,209 against the sanctioned grant of Rs 1,85,69,141 on creches,” the audit team found.

Further, the council was to utilise the grant funds of Rs 1.85 crore on 50 chreches, but as per utilisation certificate submitted by the council two additional creches were added and their expenditure was met from the grant meant for 50 creches.

It was found that the council had not got approval/regularised the excess expenditure from the Director Social Welfare to add on these two creches nor the Director. Social Welfare sought any clarification on the basis of utilisation certificates.

This had not only led to inadmissible expenditure on additional two creches. But also an excess expenditure of Rs 24,59.283 was made by the council. On being pointed out in audit, no reply was furnished by the department.

Non-payment of financial assistance under “Encouragement to Inter Caste Marriage Rs 5 lakh.

As per notification in February, 2006 issued by the Secretary, social Welfare, Chandigarh Administration vide which Financial Assistance of an amount of Rs 25,000 (i.e. Rs.15000 in cash and Rs 10,000) will be given in the shape of fixed deposit in the joint account name of the married couple which shall not be redeemable before the expiry of 5 years.

Later, the financial assistance amount was revised to Rs 2.50.000 issued by Director (SCD) Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, Department of Social Justice and Empowerment.

During test check of record of Director, Social Welfare, U.T, Chandigarh for the period 2021-23, it was noticed that payment on account of financial assistance to eligible beneficiaries was not made during the period covered under audit to the victims.

Scope of Social Welfare Dept

Audit and Inspection Report on the accounts of the office of Director, Social Welfare, Women and Child Development Department, Town Hall Extension Building, Sector – 17, Chd.UT. Chandigarh for the period from 2021-22 to 2022-23 was carried out.

The department is managing one Nari Niketan and many other institutions which are being run or managed through various government and non-government agencies. For the aged, scheme of Old Age Pension is being implemented and identity cards to senior citizen are also being issued by the department.

An ex-gratia payment to the family of deceased government servants is also being released by the department along with the disbursement of pension under the scheme Old Age Pension, Pension to Disabled Persons, Pension to Widows and Destitute women and Financial Assistance to the Dependent Children of widow women is being made.