CAG report picks holes in irrigation scheme

A performance audit of the Accelerated Irrigation Benefit Programme (AIBP) has thrown up major loopholes in the implementation of the scheme.

A performance audit of the Accelerated Irrigation Benefit Programme (AIBP) has thrown up major loopholes in the implementation of the scheme a crucial component of Bharat Nirman during 2004-08 period that coincides mainly with the UPA-I rule.

The audit,conducted by countrys supreme audit agency CAG,randomly chose 70 major and medium irrigation projects,and 346 minor irrigation projects that were taken up during 2004-08 in as many as 26 states. It found that over 60 per cent of major and medium irrigation projects and over 50 per cent of the minor irrigation projects failed to reach the target irrigation potential during the period. Out of 41 major,29 medium and 346 minor irrigation projects test-checked by audit,the targeted irrigation potential was not created in 25 major,19 medium and 189 minor irrigation projects. Even the irrigation potential created was not being utilised fully, the CAG observed in its report tabled in Parliament recently.

The audit has also pointed fingers at the disproportionate grants disbursed under the scheme to six states. It said that over three-quarter funds under the scheme sanctioned during 2006-08 went to Andhra Pradesh,Gujarat,Karnataka,Madhya Pradesh,Maharashtra and Orissa.

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Several instances of undue benefits to contractors implementing individual projects has also been revealed.

Our audit scrutiny revealed grant of undue benefits to contractors amounting to Rs 186.89 crore in 14 states,as well as cases of unauthorised/irregular expenditure of Rs 403.83 crore in 17 states, the report says while underlining the deficient contractual management in implementing the scheme.

Apart from directing to act against authorities for falsely certifying that the planned projects having achieved the desired objectives,the CAG has also recommended that the government investigate all cases of incomplete and non-commissioned projects reported as complete to ensure that there is no diversion of funds released for them.

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Bharat Nirman

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