An audit report has exposed massive financial irregularities in Madhya Pradesh MNREGS Council.
The audit report of the council for 2011-12 which was made public on Wednesday by right to information activist Ajay Dubey, pointed out several serious lapses in financial allocations and expenditure of the Council.
The report points out that the council spent Rs 11 lakh on meetings during the year, but there were no records of the number and names of those who participated in the meetings.
It also states that allocation of budget for administrative expenses was not made by the council which is a 'lapse of internal control of the organisation'. It also notes that all necessary documents were not made available by the council which severely limited the audit work. The council has also spent a huge amount on purchase of stationery despite the fact that there was no provision for it in the council's budget.
Besides, the stock register of stationery items was not presented for audit, preventing its verification. The audit report also notes that the council has spent excessive amounts on purchase of printer cartridges. It also points out that the ledger was not updated at regular intervals and was incomplete. Such neglect raises obvious doubts about the authenticity of the entries made regarding various expenses. The audit report points out to irregularities in payment of rent for hired taxis. It notes that excess payments were made to one 'Monika Firm' for hired vehicles while the council had already given contract in this regard to one 'Sam Firm'.
Referring to the audit reports, Dubey said the council officials were pocketing huge sums in the name of official trips while the rural poor of the State continued to suffer. "When those sitting in Bhopal are themselves corrupt, how will they prevent corruption in the whole stateIJ If the State government and the respective Minister have any integrity left, they should immediately act against those responsible for financial irregularities here," Dubey said.