CAG report paints sorry picture of tourism projects
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By Our Staff Reporter
IMPHAL, Mar 12 : The State Government has been unable to avail a sum of Rs 92.45 crore from the Government of India owing to its failure to complete 13 tourism projects in time, according to the Comptroller and Auditor General report tabled at the ongoing Manipur Legislative Assembly.
Due to delays in completion of the projects initiated under the Tourism Department, the State Government was able to receive only Rs 50.85 crore against the total approved cost of Rs 143.30 crore.
The Product/Infrastructure Development for Destinations and Circuits (PIDDC) scheme was introduced by the Ministry of Tourism, Government of India in 2007-08 to improve existing tourism products and develop new ones.
Under this scheme, the first instalment (80% of the approved cost) was released on sanction of the project and the second instalment (20% of the approved cost) was to be released on completion of the work and on receipt of the utilisation certificate.
The scheme was discontinued from 2015-16.
According to the North Eastern Council (NEC) Guidelines 2018, support from NEC was admissible for completion of PIDDC projects which were more than 50% complete.
However, the audit report noted that out of 17 sampled PIDDC projects, the State Government could avail full GoI grant for four projects only. There was short receipt/non-availment of GoI grant for the remaining 13 projects.
These 13 projects are the Art and Craft Centre at Maibam Lokpa Ching which was sanctioned in 2008 and stipulated to be completed in 2010; Tourist Destination at Ishingthingbi Lake sanctioned in 2009 and stipulated to be completed in 2012; Tourist Destination in Bishnupur sanctioned in 2008 and stipulated to be completed in 2010; Tourist Destination at Khongjom War Memorial sanctioned in 2009 and stipulated to be completed in 2011; Tourist Destination at Sendra sanctioned in 2009 and stipulated to be completed in 2012; Tourist Destination at Kotsophai, Chandel sanctioned in 2013 and stipulated to be completed in 2014; Tourist Destination at Sadu Chiru Waterfall sanctioned in 2014 and stipulated to be completed in 2015; Tourist Destination at Chingkhei Ching sanctioned in 2013 and stipulated to be completed 2014; Tourist Circuit Imphal-Bishnupur-Churachandpur sanctioned in 2008 and stipulated to be completed 2011; Tourist Circuit at Karang, Chaoba Ching and Thanga sanctioned in 2014 and stipulated to be completed 2015; Mega Project INA Memorial Complex at Moirang sanctioned in 2010 and stipulated to be completed in 2013; infrastructure project in and around Imphal City sanctioned in 2014 and stipulated to be completed in 2015; Tourist Resort at Sendra Hillock, Water Sports Complex at Takmu and other facilities in adjoining areas of Bishnupur sanctioned in 2014 and stipulated to be completed in 2015.
The total approved cost of the 13 projects was Rs 143.30 crore. Out of this, the State Government received Rs 50.85 crore while it has been unable to avail the remaining Rs 92.45 crore from the GoI due to non-completion of the projects.
The 13 projects remained incomplete after delays ranging from 7 to 13 years from the stipulated date of completion.
Out of these, joint physical verification was conducted during December 2022 to October 2023 for 11 projects and it was found that nine projects had been abandoned after incurring a cost of Rs 25.31 crore.
Components of the project "Tourist Destination at Khongjom War Memorial Complex, Manipur" such as Open-Air Theatre, Children's Amusement Park constructed at a cost of Rs 35.31 lakh were not found during physical verification. The structures were reported to have been demolished.
During Exit Conference (February, 2024), the Department accepted the audit observations and stated that the balance part of the Gol share could not be availed due to delay in completion of works.
IMPHAL, Mar 12 : The State Government has been unable to avail a sum of Rs 92.45 crore from the Government of India owing to its failure to complete 13 tourism projects in time, according to the Comptroller and Auditor General report tabled at the ongoing Manipur Legislative Assembly.
Due to delays in completion of the projects initiated under the Tourism Department, the State Government was able to receive only Rs 50.85 crore against the total approved cost of Rs 143.30 crore.
The Product/Infrastructure Development for Destinations and Circuits (PIDDC) scheme was introduced by the Ministry of Tourism, Government of India in 2007-08 to improve existing tourism products and develop new ones.
Under this scheme, the first instalment (80% of the approved cost) was released on sanction of the project and the second instalment (20% of the approved cost) was to be released on completion of the work and on receipt of the utilisation certificate.
The scheme was discontinued from 2015-16.
According to the North Eastern Council (NEC) Guidelines 2018, support from NEC was admissible for completion of PIDDC projects which were more than 50% complete.
However, the audit report noted that out of 17 sampled PIDDC projects, the State Government could avail full GoI grant for four projects only. There was short receipt/non-availment of GoI grant for the remaining 13 projects.
These 13 projects are the Art and Craft Centre at Maibam Lokpa Ching which was sanctioned in 2008 and stipulated to be completed in 2010; Tourist Destination at Ishingthingbi Lake sanctioned in 2009 and stipulated to be completed in 2012; Tourist Destination in Bishnupur sanctioned in 2008 and stipulated to be completed in 2010; Tourist Destination at Khongjom War Memorial sanctioned in 2009 and stipulated to be completed in 2011; Tourist Destination at Sendra sanctioned in 2009 and stipulated to be completed in 2012; Tourist Destination at Kotsophai, Chandel sanctioned in 2013 and stipulated to be completed in 2014; Tourist Destination at Sadu Chiru Waterfall sanctioned in 2014 and stipulated to be completed in 2015; Tourist Destination at Chingkhei Ching sanctioned in 2013 and stipulated to be completed 2014; Tourist Circuit Imphal-Bishnupur-Churachandpur sanctioned in 2008 and stipulated to be completed 2011; Tourist Circuit at Karang, Chaoba Ching and Thanga sanctioned in 2014 and stipulated to be completed 2015; Mega Project INA Memorial Complex at Moirang sanctioned in 2010 and stipulated to be completed in 2013; infrastructure project in and around Imphal City sanctioned in 2014 and stipulated to be completed in 2015; Tourist Resort at Sendra Hillock, Water Sports Complex at Takmu and other facilities in adjoining areas of Bishnupur sanctioned in 2014 and stipulated to be completed in 2015.
The total approved cost of the 13 projects was Rs 143.30 crore. Out of this, the State Government received Rs 50.85 crore while it has been unable to avail the remaining Rs 92.45 crore from the GoI due to non-completion of the projects.
The 13 projects remained incomplete after delays ranging from 7 to 13 years from the stipulated date of completion.
Out of these, joint physical verification was conducted during December 2022 to October 2023 for 11 projects and it was found that nine projects had been abandoned after incurring a cost of Rs 25.31 crore.
Components of the project "Tourist Destination at Khongjom War Memorial Complex, Manipur" such as Open-Air Theatre, Children's Amusement Park constructed at a cost of Rs 35.31 lakh were not found during physical verification. The structures were reported to have been demolished.
During Exit Conference (February, 2024), the Department accepted the audit observations and stated that the balance part of the Gol share could not be availed due to delay in completion of works.