Social researcher points out failure to submit UCs

By Our Staff Reporter
IMPHAL, Sep 15: Social Researcher Serto Tondana Kom has opined that the State Government need to discuss, look back, review and revise the failure to submit 4,706 Utilization Certificates (UC) aggregating to Rs 6,077.96 crore in respect of grants/ schemes given by the Centre, to 38 Departments of the State Government.
Speaking to media persons today, after observing the State Finance and Audit report of the Comptroller and Auditor general of India for the end of March 31 last year, Serto Tondana Kom said that due to the failure of the Departments concerned to submit the necessary UCs of 4,706 projects/works under different Central sponsored schemes for the State, Rs 6,077.96 crore have not been released for the State.
He continued that among the 38 Departments, Rural Development and Panchayati Raj tops the list with outstanding amount of Rs 2,669.41 crore, followed by Development of Tribal Affairs and Hills and Education (S) with Rs 1,228.18 crore and Rs 513.4 crore respectively.
The State Fire Service is at the bottom of the list with Rs 0.01 crore outstanding amount, he added.
Pointing out that the said outstanding UCs are for schemes allocated from 2008-09 to 2017-18 by the Central Government to the State Government, Serto Tondana Kom explained that in March 2016, there were 5,160 UCs yet to be submitted for Rs 3,964.78 crore with respect to grants given to 34 Departments.
In July 2017, there were 4,789 outstanding UCs aggregating to Rs 4,18.26 crore in arrear with respect to grants given to 37 Departments. During 2017 and 2018, only 83 UCs were submitted for releasing the necessary money but an amount of Rs 1,759.7 crore was increased.
As of September 30 last year, there were 4,706 outstanding UCs aggregating to Rs 6,077.96 crore in respect of grants given to 38 Departments, the Social Researcher claimed.
Due to such failure to submit UCs, the State Government has failed to receive huge amounts of money/grant under various schemes from the Central Government from time to time. Such failure of the State Government Departments clearly shows that works are not being properly implemented or done.
This is really shameful in front of other neighbouring States and such actions will not infuse trust in the Centre, he added.
Serto Tondana Kom said that the State Government has taken up a number of schemes and missions, such as Go To Hill and Go to School missions, but according to the report, the Departments which are rated at the top of the list for outstanding UCs are the Rural Development and Panchayati Raj, and the Education Department.
He also alleged that such things clearly reflect that there might be some gaps in the missions or schemes taken up by the Government and the implementing agencies.
 The State Government needs to take the initiative and monitor this issue thoroughly, he added.