DIMAPUR, MARCH 29: There were 383 incomplete/ongoing projects in Nagaland as on March 31, 2022 for which Rs 1,546.15 crore had been expended. There was cost over-run of Rs 144.95 crore on these incomplete projects as on March 31, 2022.
According to the CAG Report for the year ended March 31, 2022, there was 100% financial achievement in 7 projects out of the 383 incomplete/ongoing projects. However, 100% physical progress was not achieved.
In 26 out of 383 projects, target year of completion was not furnished by the Departments (March 2022); while works in respect of two projects (estimated cost Rs 10.93 crore) had been suspended (during 2014-15) after incurring an expenditure of Rs 10.47 crore (95.77% of estimated cost).
In 378 projects, there was no financial progress during 2021-22; while no expenditure was incurred in 45 projects which had an estimated cost of Rs 289.23 crore. There was no physical progress, despite expenditure of Rs 2.99 crore (16.04% of estimated/ revised cost of Rs 13.4 crore) incurred on four projects up to March 2022.
Thus, the report said, Capital Expenditure of Rs 1,546.15 crore incurred on these 382 incomplete projects remained blocked. Blocking of funds on incomplete projects/works impinges negatively on the quality of expenditure and deprives the State of the intended benefits for prolonged periods.
Further, delay in completion of the projects was fraught with the risk of cost overrun, which was evident in 120 projects which were pending since 2003-13. “Therefore, effective steps need to be taken to complete all these projects without further delay to avoid time and cost inefficiencies”, the report recommended.
(Page News Service)
