ZP sets up separate audit system to streamline gram panchayats

According to Zilla Parishad,for a gram panchayat,some members take the lead in managing funds. For some with a population above one lakh and huge funds,there have been cases registered against individual members. A separate local fund audit should streamline the system,said the CEO.

Special squads too have been set up to conduct surprise checks.

The ZP has decided to keep a tab on expense details of funds allocated for central and state schemes,Officials said some gram panchayats have not submitted expenditure details even after notices were issued.

The village heads were allocated funds including remuneration,special remuneration,rent for buildings,furniture and others for several schemes. Most of the bills have not come in and there are complaints against members ranging from gram sevaks to sarpanchs,officials said.

Some gram sabha members in a written complaint said village heads had not called mandatory meetings to discuss expenses. There have been case hearings and membership of some of them after being found guilty has been scrapped but the process to recover the dues has not been initiated.

“Cases are pending against these persons,’’ said other officials. The squads will seek certificates of expenditure from all these sarpanchs so that they take charge in keeping track of fund use.

“Unless the system is put in place,the misappropriation will continue. The audits will streamline the system,’’ said Kawade.