'State Govt yet to submit UCs of over Rs 8000 Cr'

    25-Feb-2021
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By Our Staff Reporter
IMPHAL, Feb 25 : The State Government is yet to submit around 5839 utilisation certificates amounting to Rs 8129.22 crore approximately, according to social researcher Serto Tondana Kom.
Speaking to media persons at Manipur Press Club here this afternoon, Serto Tondana Kom said that pending utilisation certificates have been accumulating since the period 2016-17.
As many as 3482 utilisation certificates amounting to around Rs 3756.60 crore were pending in 2016-17. The pending utilisation certificates rose to 4676 (an increment by 1194) amounting to Rs 5962.56 crore (an increment by Rs 2205.96 crore) in the next financial year.
The pending utilisation certificates rose to 5839 (an increment by 1163 from the previous financial year) amounting to Rs 8129.22 crore (an increment by Rs 2166.66 crore) in 2018-19, said the social researcher further.  
RD&PR, Tribal Affairs & Hills and Power are some departments in which maximum number of utilisation certificates are pending and these amount to Rs 3029.66 crore, Rs 2239.20 crore and 901.45 crore respectively, added Serto.
The audit report brought out by the Principal Accountant General (Audit), Manipur recently revealed that the State’s financial position is in a very bad shape, he remarked.
The Chief Minister and the Finance Minister need to take a relook at the Abstract Contingent Bill and the Detailed Countersigned Bill in order to address the State’s financial woes, Serto said.
The financial woes can be mitigated to some extent if the Finance Department releases funds every quarter in a year, he said, sharing his thoughts.
The financial woes can also be mitigated to a considerable extent if the Chief Minister can ensure that the Cabinet Ministers and heads of departments maintain transparency and accountability in their official works, Serto added.