PANAJI
The Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) has exposed massive irregularities of the Goa government in implementing Central government sponsored Swadesh Darshan Scheme resulting in wasteful expenditure.
From failing to adopt criteria for development of tourist circuits/destinations to diversion of funds or appointment of too many consultants and excess payments made to them, were major flaws observed by CAG in its report tabled in the Parliament.
“Irregularities such as execution on a leased land, diversion of funds, excess payment to contractor, procuring of items at significantly higher rates than its previous procurement rate, procuring equipment before completion of necessary infrastructure, dropping of components of a project etc., were seen during the execution of the projects in the circuit,” the CAG said in its performance audit report on “Swadesh Darshan Scheme”.
CAG also observed that “most of the infrastructure developed was lying in an abandoned state without any operation and maintenance plan and without revenue or employment generation”.
The CAG pointed out that as per the scheme guidelines, tourist circuits/destinations were to be identified considering factors such as current tourist traffic, connectivity potential and significance attached to the site, holistic tourist experience etc.
“However, it was observed that there were no proper criteria for selection of destinations by the State. The stakeholders such as local bodies or departments were not consulted before preparation of the Detailed Project Report (DPR) for the circuit,” CAG said.
Auditor said that the DPR consisted of items mainly for basic infrastructure development like public toilets, parking, Tourist Information Center, etc. across the North coastal belt, as per the need and availability of land, without proper planning and were not integrated into a tourist circuit.
CAG citied example how the proposed helipad at Aguada Fort, upgraded at a cost of Rs 3.43 crore was shifted to a land parcel at Old Goa due to opposition from locals. The change of site was considered without taking into account the tourist potential at the relocated site.
Further, CAG said that as per the Scheme guidelines, implementing agencies were required to follow all codal formalities while awarding the contracts. However, it was observed that throughout the process of preparation of DPR, too many consultants were hired by the State Government.
“The consultancy charges ranged from 0.80 per cent to 4.30 per cent as against 2 per cent sanctioned by the Ministry. Considering the quantum of work, the issue of consultants was also objected to by the National Productivity Council in its Third-Party Impact Assessment Report of 2019,” CAG said.
The Auditor also slammed the State Government for failing to ensure necessary clearances before submission of proposals and as a result, there was delay in commencement of project, which also led to delay in completion.
