UP diverted Rs. 65.87 cr from SDRF to procure equipment for Kumbh, alleges CAG

PRAYAGRAJ, August 21 (HS): The Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) of India alleged in a report that the Uttar Pradesh government diverted Rs. 65.87 crore from the State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF) for the procurement of rescue equipment for the Kumbh Mela-2019, in violation of central government norms. Parliamentary affairs minister Suresh Khanna presented the general and social sector report for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2019 in the Uttar Pradesh legislative assembly. The SDRF fund is used to provide urgent support to victims of registered catastrophes, according to central government rules. Rather than diverting funds for Kumbh mela equipment, the state government should have established a budgetary allocation for it, observed the CAG.

According to the report, the state government declared that the Kumbh Mela-2019, which took place in Prayagraj from January 15 to March 4, 2019, was a huge success, with over 240 million people attending. Nonetheless, the costs incurred were in addition to the government’s sanctions. As a result, it added, payments to contractors were still outstanding. There were instances of work being completed at higher prices/costs and non-compliance of government orders. Solid waste management was not effectively handled. The CAG discovered that the Public Works Department completed six projects totalling Rs.1.69 crore in road repairs and tree painting without any financial sanctions.

In addition, the information and public relations department allocated Rs. 29.33 crore in works against a budget of Rs. 14.67 crore for Kumbh Mela promotion through electronic and print media. According to the report, the Kumbh Mela authorities failed to effectively oversee the issue and return of tentage materials from multiple institutions, resulting in the vendor claiming Rs. 21.75 crore in compensation for missing tin, tent, and furnishings. Due to the failure of the urban development agency to comply with the stipulated timetables, 58 permanent and 11 temporary works were not completed in time for the Kumbh Mela to begin.

Fire engines, baggage scanners, digital radio HF sets, and drone cameras worth Rs. 7.83 crore were either not received or were not used during the Kumbh Mela due to an inadequate procurement process by the home department. The CAG also found that estimates for road works were overestimated by Rs. 3.11 crore, there was excess expenditure of Rs. 95.75 lakh on the construction of nine roads, the contractors failed to deposit performance security of Rs. 6.33 crore, there was avoidable expenditure of Rs. 3.24 crore on barricading works and Rs. 8.75 crore on fibre reinforce plastic toilet works, and that there was excess payment of Rs. 1.27 crore having been made to contractors.

Three works were awarded to bidders that were not qualified for the bid based on their bid capacity, according to an audit. The issue of municipal solid waste management has not been adequately addressed. There was a vast scrapheap of MSW at the Banswar plant site before the Kumbh Mela due to an inoperative MSW processing plant, which piled up much more during the Mela. The CAG found that quality assurance in the construction work was poor since most of the tests required for quality control were not completed. The Kumbh Mela is held at regular intervals, and the state government may establish guidelines and criteria for the amount and quality of infrastructure and services required for pilgrimage visitors.

Procurement of goods and materials follows a standard operating procedure. In compliance with regulations and legislation, expenditure and budgetary controls should be strengthened. The process of selecting contractors/suppliers should be transparent, fair, competitive, and compliant with financial regulations. Waste management, infrastructure, and facilities should be expanded on a large enough scale to ensure a safe, sanitized and healthy environment for Mela visitors.