The Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) report tabled in Gujarat Assembly revealed that there has been sizable rise in the cases of rapes of minors and lack of conviction on part of the State Government under the Pre-Conception and Pre-Natal Diagnostic Techniques (PCPNDT) Act.
According to the report, there has been a rise of 188 per cent in the number of rapes. In 2009, 92 minor girls were raped in the State; the number went up to 265 in 2013. Similarly, the total numbers of rapes increased from 433 to 733 during the same period.
The CAG observed that of 2,485 rape victims over the past five years, 215 girls were below 14 years. The Government reply said the women helpline number 1091 has been established for the protection of women. The report further stated that rape victims have not been given assistance at all or there was delay in release of grants.
“Gujarat Government has also failed to investigate why there were 13.29 lakh less deliveries despite 70.95 lakh pregnancies registered between 2009 and 2014,” said the report, adding that deliveries registered through e-Mamta portal were only 57.66 lakh.
CAG has also slammed the State Government for failing to form a Gujarat State Child Protection Society and has not formulated the State Child Protection Policy and State plan of action. It has also observed that sex ratio at birth in 15 out of 26 districts had declined in 2013 compared to previous year.
On the contrary, the Gujarat Government on Thursday claimed the CAG has appreciated the efficient and result-oriented financial management of Gujarat and better functioning of the State-run PSUs during the year 2013-14. According to the State Government, communiqué the State has achieved all the fiscal targets well within the prescribed limits as per the recommendations of the 13th Finance Commission.
“Against the target of containing Fiscal deficit at 3% of GSDP, the State has maintained it at 2.38%. The developmental expenditure has increased to 71.57% in 2013-14. This indicates the Gujarat Government has focused its finances on the all-round development of the State, while remaining well within fiscal norms,” said the state government.
The CAG also noted that State’s Non-tax Revenue receipt grew by 16.64% over previous year mainly on account of higher growth of dividends and profits along with irrigation receipts. In fact, State’s own Tax revenue receipt and Non-Tax revenue receipt have exceeded the 13th FC projection, which indicates efficient tax administration.
Taxes on vehicles and State excise have registered growth of 25% and 29% respectively in 2013-14 over the previous year. One of the significant aspects is that the share of Tax receipts in revenues increased significantly from 64% in 2009-10 to 70% in 2013-14.