Auditor CAG has pointed out many discrepancies in the implementation of the social welfare schemes, including mid-day meal (MDM) and pulled up the Delhi government, for its failure to obtain fund utilisation certificates from the institutions.

"There were delays in obtaining utilisation certificates (UCs) from various grantee institutions for the grants released to them. Out of a total of 5,235 grants amounting to Rs 26,434.30 crore, which was given till March 2013, 4,784 UCs amounting to Rs 19,064.02 crore were awaited from various departments at the end of March 2014. Out of 4,784 outstanding UCs, 2,267 UCs (47.39%) amounting to Rs 5,651.17 crore were due for more than 10 years," the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) said in its report.

"Also, out of 2,102 samples of cooked meals, a total of 1,876 samples (89%) failed tests for nutritive value during 2010-14. The enrolment, attendance and retention of children in schools could not be enhanced," said the auditor’s report.

The CAG also points out with much concern that large balances amounting to Rs 1,151.65 crore as on March 31, 2014 were outstanding under "suspense heads". In 2009-10, the balance under this head was Rs 101.02 crore, it rose to Rs 158.81 crore in 2010-11 and went up further in 2011-12 to Rs 215.62 crore. In 2012-13 it was Rs 273.78 crore and it suddenly shot to Rs 1,151.65 crore in 2013-14.

"These are recorded initially under the 'suspense heads' which are required to be reviewed at short intervals so as to ensure that no item remains unadjusted longer than is reasonably necessary," the CAG noted.

CAG had referred to the working of Delhi Tourism and Transportation Development Corporation and said that it did not formulate a perspective plan for tourism promotion in the city despite 39 years of its formation (1975). Tourist inflow in Delhi as a whole has registered an increase of 108%, whereas it increased only by 30% in the tourist spots owned by the Company during 2009-14, it said. "Vacant craft and food stalls and non-holding of cultural events on a regular basis at the Dilli Haats, led to declining footfall and consequent inadequate exposition of Indian Art and Crafts, Culture and Cuisine."

Regarding to the revenue department, CAG found that "test check of records of 80 units of the Department of Trade and Taxes, State Excise, Transport and Revenue conducted during the year 2013-14 showed under-assessment / short levy / loss of revenue, aggregating to the tune of Rs 905.66 crore in 2001 cases."

By Premji