The Comptroller and Auditor General of India has slammed Haryana Government for “high percentage” of unfit water samples, saying it indicates supply of poor quality which results in high incidences of water borne diseases in the state.
A laboratory in Karnal tested 15,481 samples from 2010 to 2014. Out of these, 9,663 samples were found fit for human consumption while 5,818 samples (38 per cent) were found unfit, the latest CAG report said.
In eight districts including Ambala, Hissar, Kaithal, out of 57,900 samples checked, 6,251 samples (11 per cent) were found unfit for human consumption.
In four districts such as Ambala and Kaithal, 1210 cases of diarrhoea, 176 cases of jaundice and 53 cases of enteric fever were noticed due to consumption of contaminated water during 2010-15, said the CAG report for the year ending March 2015.
CAG said that, it did not find evidence of a systematic selection of samples which would ensure covering of all sources for chemical and bacteriological examination by rotation.
"Records also did not provide any evidence of an institutionalised and proper mechanism for follow up action on the failed water samples, thus indicating poor monitoring of one of the most important aspects of providing potable water," it further said.
In its latest report on audit of social, economic and general sectors for 2014-15, CAGobserved that there was an urgent need to bring about improvement in the quality of water supply for human consumption.
As per guidelines of the National Rural Drinking Water Programme (NRDWP), a target of 3,500 water samples for testing at sources was fixed, which was revised to 3,000 samples from 2014-15, the report said.
As per instructions of the Centre, it was desirable that each source should be tested at least once a year for chemical contamination and 2-4 times for bacteriological contamination to ensure that the drinking water was potable.
As against the target of testing 2,19,000 samples, only 1,08,593 samples (50 per cent) were tested during 2010-15. The shortfall in testing of samples was 50 per cent.
The state Department attributed the shortfall in water samples is due to shortage of staff for collection of water samples and shortage of chemists in laboratories. Further, out of the samples tested, water in 13,944 samples (13 per cent) was found unfit for human consumption.
Haryana 'failed' to ensure quality check of mid-day meal
Haryana Government has failed to rope in any laboratory for checking the quality of food being provided to students under midday meals scheme.
In its report for the year 2014-15, the CAG said that the Centre had issued guidelines in July 2013 to all states to consider engaging laboratories recognised by Council of Scientific and Industrial Research institutes and National Accreditation Board for laboratories for carrying out sample checking of midday meal to ensure quality food to the children.
But during the audit, it was observed that the State Government has not taken any steps to engage the laboratories, the report said.
CAG also found that the coverage of students under the national programme of midday meal scheme in schools had decreased from 99 to 95 per cent during 2010-15. In real terms, the number of children covered fell from 22.14 lakh in 2010-11 to 19.60 lakh in 2014-15, as per the report.
CCTNS remains non-starter
Crime and Criminal Tracking Network and Systems (CCTNS) project has not been completed even after a lapse of three years. Haryana Home Department failed to provide hardware to investigating officers, training to police personnel, digitise/migrate the legacy data, application software and network services among police stations, higher offices and National Crime Record Bureau for sharing real time information. The Department also failed to provide citizen centric services to improve police functioning in maintaining law and order, pointed out CAG.
Improper utilisation of funds for sports facilities
CAG observed that there were cases of delays in construction and handing over of stadiums in Haryana. Further, the stadiums were abandoned and were not being maintained properly. Basic facilities and sports items were not being provided in the stadiums besides shortage of coaches and other staff. Cases of parking of funds and irregular payment to a chief coach were noticed in Sports and Youth Affairs Department.
Govt. failed to make arrangements for procurement
The CAG report stated, “Non-conduct of physical verification of stock regularly, allotment of paddy in excess of millers’ capacity, non-obtaining of proper guarantee, coupled with lack of appropriate action against defaulting millers by Food and Supplies Department led to non-delivery of rice valuing Rs 115.48 crore by millers in Haryana.