CAG finds fault with the Odisha Govt. in the pre and post management , relief work during 2013 Phailin
12 Feb, Bhubaneswar
The much publicized claim of the Odisha Government in the success of pre and post Phailin restoration, rehabilitation and relief work of Odisha Government is now exposed. Comptroler and Auditor General(CAG) in his report slammed the state government for many discrepancy and mismanagement of the State Disaster Relief Fund and Central Relief Fund .
CAG in its recent report on General and social sector which was laid in theOdisha assembly Thursday pointed out State government’s inefficiency in the management of the cyclone.
Though early warning mechanism and communication systems for disaster preparedness were in place, system was not effective due to inadequate staff and non functioning of machinery, the report said.
.
Although the report praised state governments effort to save human life though early warning system and administration of evacuation to safer place , CAG criticized its effort to save livestock. The report said, during Phailin that struck the state in Oct, 2013 in the coastal areas though the state government could have done more to save the livestock which is main livelihood of the affected population.
Criticizing the government for its post relief work he said, Restoration was not adequate due to delay in restoration of power infrastructure, piped water supply system, roads, irrigation canals and lift irrigation projects affecting rabi crops/agriculture in the affected districts. Besides, input subsidy for loss of crop was not paid and artisans were not adequately compensated for loss of livelihood.
Highlighting the improper management of CRF and SDRF he said, there was improper financial management as 29.46 crore was sanctioned from CRF/SDRF towards disaster preparedness in violation of GOI norms. UCs for 1456.42crore were pending from executing agencies and collectors against the release of fund of 3455.80 crore during 2007-13. Despite retaining the SDRF in interest bearing public accounts during 2011-13, interest thereon was not paid by state government.
Criticizing the state government for its non serious attitude to tackle relief and restoration work Mr. Patnaik said, Monitoring of preparedness, rescue and relief operations by SEC was largely absent as its meetings were limited to approval of projects of various departments and sanction of fund out of SDRF.