MAPUSA
The Mapusa Municipal Council (MMC) has come under fire from the Directorate of Accounts for its failure to effectively utilise a significant portion of development grants, leading to the blocking of substantial government funds.
According to a recent audit report, as of March 31, 2023, the council had Rs 20.90 crore in unutilised grants, which were sanctioned by various authorities for development projects.
In addition, the council refunded Rs 1.38 crore in unutilised grants to various sanctioning authorities for the period 2018-2023, further highlighting its inefficiency in handling funds earmarked for the city's development.
The audit report, prepared by the Directorate of Accounts, expressed concern over the civic body's prolonged inaction, stating, "It has been observed that a substantial amount of development grants, including those from the 14th and 15th Finance Commissions, have remained unutilised for a long period."
The unspent funds, which were intended for critical infrastructure and civic improvements, have consequently resulted in a delay in implementing vital projects.
Compounding the issue, the municipal council also failed to provide the required utilisation certificates for the grants that were used, as per the report.
These certificates are a critical aspect of financial transparency, as they allow the authorities to track the deployment of funds and ensure that they are used for their intended purpose.
The delay in fund usage, coupled with the refund of unutilised grants, has raised questions about the council's ability to effectively manage public funds and execute development projects.
Additionally, the audit uncovered major accounting discrepancies in the handling of these grants.
Instead of creating specific accounting heads for each grant, the municipal council has lumped the funds under the broad category of "Miscellaneous Receipts," making it difficult to track individual allocations.
The report also highlighted that a register of grants, which should be maintained to monitor the usage and status of each grant, was not in place.
The absence of grant-wise registers, as well as the failure to prepare and sign an abstract of grants at the end of each financial year, reflects a lack of proper financial management practices within the municipal council.
The audit findings point to an urgent need for systemic reforms to ensure that funds are not only properly allocated but also effectively utilised for the development of the city.
The unutilised grants were intended to boost the city's infrastructure, improve public services, and enhance the quality of life for residents.
The failure to deploy these funds could potentially delay several key projects, further exacerbating concerns over the council's efficiency.
