In Jharkhand, govt diverted funds meant for cops

The funds were meant for two projects — construction of police lines in Deoghar and Lohardaga districts and the replacement of condemned police vehicles.

“Thus, unauthorised diversion of Rs 15.70 crore in violation of the principles of budgetary control and in contravention of the guidelines of Police Modernisation Fund resulted in denying the benefit of housing to policemen in Deoghar and Lohardaga districts,” states the CAG report for 2005.

The CAG report does not mention whether this fund was contributed by the state or the Central government or both. It is also silent about the state government

functionary who made the CS divert the fund. The preparation of the budget was also put under the

CAG scanner.

While the Budget Manual prescribes that estimates should be made on accurate details, the report brings to light that estimates from 2002-3 to 2004-5 did not mention “the actual expenditure of the previous year” and were prepared without assessing actual requirement of funds.

Chief Secretary M K Mandal informed the Assembly the CAG report was being studied. “We will soon decide on corrective measures,” he said.

Also Under CAG scanner

GROUND REALITY: The state Civil Aviation Department spent Rs 27.12 lakh on overhauling of engines of state aircraft whose air worthiness was not certified by the DGSA.

COCK & BULL: Another case relates to “bull attendants” at the Animal Husbandry Department who had no work as the department had no bulls. However, Rs 1.36 crore was incurred on their pay and allowances, the report said.

LOGGED OFF: District collectors of Ranchi, Hazaribagh, Palamau, West Singhbhum, Dumka and Dhanbad, who were responsible for implementation of computer education programme in government-run plus-two schools, failed to deliver. Computers worth Rs 2.32 crore were bought for 11 schools and installed, but they were never used for want of instructors, electric supply and other infrastructure, states the report.