KISHOR NAIK GAONKAR
PANAJI
When public funds are to be utilised, one would expect all government departments and agencies to be meticulous in following all procedures, to ensure accountability and transparency.
But believe it or not, the agriculture department is reported to have disbursed a whopping Rs 313 crore for various schemes in the last five years, without seeking the approval of the finance department.
Instead of ordering a probe and holding officials accountable for this major lapse, the State government in a recent Cabinet meeting granted ex-post facto approval to this expenditure of the agriculture department, in an apparent bid to rectify the faulty procedures by the agriculture department.
According to sources, all government departments need the approval of the finance department to implement and sanction proposals and schemes proposed.
“As per procedures and like any other department, the agriculture department
