This came after the Ministry of Human Resource Development (MHRD), in its action taken report on the Public Accounts Committee’s previous recommendations, confirmed that funds and food grains under the Central scheme were diverted in Kerala, Jharkhand, Uttar Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh, Nagaland and Bihar.
“An analysis of action taken note of the Ministry revealed that diversion of funds and food grains have been confirmed in these states,” the PAC, headed by Anandrao Vithoba Adsul, said in its 20th report, tabled in Lok Sabha in the Budget session.
The committee had in its previous report, tabled in Parliament in March last year, referred to complaints alleging diversion of funds and food grains in many states, asking the Ministry to look into the matter. On confirmation of the fund and food grain diversion in six states, the panel lashed out at the Central and state governments for their failure in enforcing “strict fiscal discipline” in the implementation of the scheme.
Though, the Ministry has asked the states concerned to initiate action to “recoup” the cost of diverted funds and food grains and fix responsibility, no action has been taken as yet for initiating action in this regard, it noted.“In these circumstances, the administrative ministry need to urge the authorities concerned of the states to be more vigilant and serious in their approach,” the panel suggested.