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The report of the Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG Civil) for the year ended 31 March, 2007 states that evaluation of the internal controls in the Irrigation and Waterways Department revealed weaknesses such as non-compliance to rules, manuals and codes for budget preparation, expenditure, accounting of transactions and maintenance of stores.
“The department did not maintain any record for crop-wise area irrigated up to 2004-2005. During 2005-2006, crop-wise irrigated area was 1160.58 thousand hectare and the demand for water rate was Rs 6.15 crore. But the government spent Rs 12.41 crore to collect only Rs 25.40 lakh as against a demand of Rs 6.15 crore for 2005-2006. Demand and collection of revenue for 2006-2007 was not available,” the report has stated. “The poor collection, in comparison to the amount due, was indicative of inadequate control and monitoring.”
The CAG report has mentioned that internal controls in the department were found to be “not working,” and non-observation of budgetary control resulted in non-utilisation of funds. The department lacked an effective inventory management, and due to non-verification of stores and stock at regular intervals, the position of physical balance in stock with book balance could not be ensured. “The department did not have an effective internal audit system in the absence of which the extent of compliance with the existing rules, procedures and instructions could not be monitored on a regular basis,” the report said.
The report said that the department should urgently update the Irrigation Code for smooth functioning, monitor monthly flow of expenditure vis-à-vis budget provisions, ensure periodical inspection of field offices and consider setting up an internal audit wing.
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