Audit Reports

Overview

Performance Audit on development, welfare and relief schemes – Marine Fisheries in Tamil Nadu.

The State lacked Comprehensive long-term Fishery Policy for focusing on core areas of sustainable development and socio-economic upliftment of the fisherfolk population of Tamil Nadu and essential facilities for notified Fish Landing Points were pending declaration.

Failure of the Department to utilise the Budget allocation of Rs.186.10 crore for development activities, non-receipt of Government of India grants resulting in utilisation of State funds for Rs.92.66 crore, parking of Government funds of Rs.37 crore outside the Government account indicated imprudent financial management. 

Delay in completion of partially executed diaphragm wall, modification of scope of work and selection of alternate site resulted in additional expenditure of Rs.67.46 crore and blocking of funds of Rs.305.49 crore in development of Fishing Harbours.  Non-utilisation of infrastructure created in two Fish Landing Centres resulted in unfruitful expenditure of Rs.14.25 crore.  Delay in identification of beneficiaries resulted in non-utilisation of sanctioned funds of Rs.40.38 crore, besides non-achievement of increased tuna fishing.  Reconstruction of fishermen houses without approval resulted in blocking of funds of Rs.24.60 crore. Payment of Government contribution of Rs.19.04 crore was made to beneficiaries in deviation of scheme guidelines, instances of delayed payments of assistance in welfare and relief schemes and delayed settlement of compensation claims to the dependents of deceased were also noticed.

There were gaps in monitoring the movement of fishing vessels, supply of Distress Alert Transmitters and creation of facilities in the landing centres.

Interlinking of rivers within Tamil Nadu

The audit of the interlinking of river projects in the State revealed the following observations:

Due to indiscriminate drawal of ground water, the number of blocks under the categories of over exploited and critical (dark) in Tamil Nadu was steadily increasing.

The State Water Policy (1994) and 11^th Five Year Plan Document (2007-12) of the State also flagged water as a serious limiting factor for agricultural growth in the State and aimed at augmentation of utilisable water resources through interlinking the river basins within the State.

Delay in completion of the two sanctioned interlinking of river projects and non-sanctioning of the remaining six identified projects, which were targeted to benefit 16 districts of Tamil Nadu the intended objectives of providing irrigation facilities to water deficit areas, improvement of ground water table and arrest sea water intrusion remained unachieved.

Promotion and infrastructure development for tourism in Tamil Nadu

The audit of promotion and development of infrastructure for tourism in the State revealed the following observations:

Tourism department failed to attract investment through Public Private Partnership mode to promote tourism which was a setback for Vision 2023.  The non-utilisation of Rs.86.33 crore of capital budget allocation, despite the dire need for infrastructure facilities showed the lack of preparedness of the department in implementation of infrastructure projects in promotion of tourism. 

Compilation of incorrect data on tourist arrival gave distorted picture of tourist visit within the State which would affect the comprehensive planning of the State.

The Joint inspection of 62 tourist locations by audit with the department revealed inadequate basic amenities which emphasised the need of basic amenities to provide quality services in the tourist spots.

Non-monitoring of tourist infrastructures, non-maintenance of comprehensive data base of assets created and lack of monitoring indicated weak internal control in the department.

Audit of transactions of various Departments of Government and field offices revealed unfruitful expenditure, avoidable expenditure, blocking of funds and short collection of Government revenue as summarised below:

• Inadequate field investigation, incorrect alignment and delay in acquiring the land resulted in blocking of funds of Rs.19.46 crore and additional liability of Rs.2.53 crore besides non-achievement of envisaged objective.
• Inordinate delay in acquisition of land for approach road and finalisation of contract in deviation of the Manual provision, resulted in blocking of funds of Rs.3.91 crore and additional liability of Rs.1.83 crore besides non-achievement of envisaged objective.
• Raising of teak plantations in the inner bunds of river in deviation to approved working plan led to removal of plantations before attaining saleable condition and unfruitful expenditure of Rs.2.98 crore.
• Commencement of coastal protection works without mandatory clearances resulted in non-assessment of negative impact on coastal areas and non-availing of Government of India grant of Rs.67.04 crore besides additional burden of Rs.51.25 crore to the State exchequer
• Failure of Government to renew the lease on time and non-enhancement of lease rent periodically based on market value as stipulated in Departmental Code resulted in short collection of lease rent of Rs.1.99 crore.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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• Economic Sector Audit Report for the year ended 31 March 2018