CAG report points out irregularities in incomplete infra projects
Delhi: The recent CAG of India report criticized about the inability of the government in rise in cost and non-completion of infrastructure projects, particularly in providing low-cost housing.
Many projects had been announced under the Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (JNNURM) to provide housing for the poor. Despite getting a year’s extension, most of the housing projects never took off during the mission period of seven years till March 2012.
As per the report, only 86 out of the 10,684 completed dwelling units (DUs) could be allotted as policy related to the allocation was finalised in January 2011. Owing to non-availability of `hindrance-free sites’, construction of 44,720 DU had to be dropped.
The report pointed out that the Delhi Urban Shelter Improvement Board (DUSIB), which implements Basic Services to the Urban Poor (BSUP) projects, had used Rs 27.82 lakh from funds allocated to housing under JNNURM to purchase eight staff cars. The report also states that, it had unwarrantedly released Rs 200 crore to DUSIB.
Delhi government had received approval for the construction of 1,10,584 DUs, out of which 44,720 were dropped due to site related issues. And one project for 1,200 DUs was dropped due to no action taken by DUSIB. Adding to this, while work for 20,340 DUs was still to be awarded, construction of 9,780 units were abandoned due to non-observance of norms under the National Building Code, said the report.
Delhi government had received approval for 30 projects at Rs 8007.68 crore under Urban Infrastructure and Governance. These projects were related to roads, flyovers, water supply and sewerage system. Among the 30 projects, as per the report, five were dropped as they were approved by UTTIPEC. One project of MCD and one of DMRC is yet to take-off.
Many irregularities with construction of flyovers and subways between IIT and NH-8 were pointed out by the CAG report. It found irregularities in the execution of contracts, such as award of consultancy without tendering, extra expenditure of Rs 70 lakh in designing of a road, non-levy of penalty in completion of works, undue payment for price variation, unauthorised deduction in the scope of work, etc.
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