KL Report
JAMMU
The latest CAG report has revealed that even after receiving liberal funding to the tune of Rs 20.56 crore from the central government for computerization of land records in 257 Niabats (Sub Tehsils) of the state, the government has failed to implement the scheme since 2006.
Initially when the Revenue department failed to identify the sites and establish basic infrastructure for setting up computer centres at sub-Tehsil offices a decision was taken to depute state government officers of the department to other states for understanding the process for implementation of the scheme of computerization of land records as well as for adoption of the procedure suitable and in consonance with the geographical conditions of the state. “Ironically, none of the officers was deputed, neither any efforts were made to utilize the funds to implement the scheme,” the report said.
According to the CAG report tabled in the state assembly during the current Budget session a proposal for computerization of land records in 257 sub tehsils of th state at a cost of 20.56 crore was submitted in August 2006 by the state government to the Govt. of India. The proposal was drafted on the basis of a pilot project taken up after development of a software for one Niabat, Khanmoh in Srinagar tehsil.
CAG stated that for this purpose the Govt. in March 2007 released Rs 15.42 crore under the centrally sponsored scheme for computerization of land records. The amount was to be spent for creation of infrastructure of hardware items, server systems, system software, electrical fitting, furniture etc. The amount was credited in April 2007 to the Bank account of the department by the Financial Commissioner Revenue, J&K. Audit scrutiny in December 2011 revealed that Rs 15 crore were converted in to fixed deposit as the scheme could not be implemented due to the fact that the department could not identify the sites and establish basic infrastructure for setting up computer centres at sub-tehsil offices. The amount which accumulated to 16.95 crore including interest was transferred in September 2008 to the Government account. In 2009 an apex level meeting was held under the chairmanship of chief minister wherein it was decided to depute officers of the department to other states for understanding the process for implementation of the scheme. Audit also observed that the department had without identifying the sites and establishing basic infrastructure for setting up computer centres at sub tehsil offices submitted proposal to the Govt of India.After this was pointed out in Audit, the Assistant Director Planning and Statistics in January 2012 also confirmed that infrastructural facilities at Niabat level was insufficient.
In its report CAG has also revealed that the department had not implemented the scheme in a proper and planned manner for which the central government had released Rs 2.86 crore during March 1990 to June 1999 to the state government rendering the expenditure of Rs 2.66 crore unfruitful. When the matter was referred to Government/Department in March 2012 the reply had not been received till December 2012. (JAKNS)
