By Bizodisha Bureau, Bhubaneswar, December 5, 2016 : The Odisha government has failed to meet targets of electrification, provision of drinking water and construction of roads under the ‘Biju Kandhamal O Gajapati Yojana’ (BKGY) due to delayed approval of different projects, according to the latest audit report of the Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG) tabled in the Assembly on Monday.

The state government began BKGY in 2009-10 which had emphasized on electrification, means of livelihood and social security through projects. However, the scheme has failed to reach the people, the report pointed out adding that due to delay in taking decisions at the government level Collectors were unable to purchase computers. Due to this lapse, the state government lost Rs 1.28 crore. The CAG has held Collectors responsible for it.

Irregularities in the maintenance of rural roads have resulted in the delay in completion of work within the stipulated time period. Though contractors were fined Rs 5.77 crore, penalties are yet to be realized from them. Similarly, in nine other cases, penalty amounting to less than Rs 5.25 crore has been recovered from the contractors, the report has stated.

Moreover, delay in identification of land provided by the Home department and delayed completion of construction of Police Training School has deprived the state government of Central assistance to the tune of Rs 17.50 lakh. Besides, equipment worth Rs 2.06 crore have been shifted elsewhere, the CAG has pointed in its report.

Further, District Education Officers’ (DEOs) failure to provide Rs 18.22 crore EPF money in violation of EPF norms has cost the state government Rs 3.10 crore in shape of penalties, the CAG report said.

The CAG has pointed out that Rs 6.41 crore in shape of compensation to 2410 persons whose private lands were acquired for government purpose remains outstanding for failure to calculate compensation amount within stipulated time.