Srinagar: The Comptroller and Auditor General of India has recommended that Jammu & Kashmir government may review whether they should continue to give more grants to departments with high pendency of Utilization Certificates (UCs).
In its report on State Finances of Jammu and Kashmir for the year ended March 31, 2019, the CAG has revealed that a total number of 1,774 UCs involving Rs 8,219.90 crore were outstanding as on 31 March 2019.
“Out of the 1,774 outstanding UCs, 404 UCs amounting to Rs 2,246.91 crore were outstanding for more than one year and 548 UCs amounting to RS 3,263.58 crore were outstanding for more than two years,” reads the report.
The report, which was tabled in the Parliament earlier this week, reveals that majority of the outstanding UCs are awaited from Education department (Rs 4,741.49 crore), Housing and Urban department (Rs 1,137.64 crore), Agriculture department (Rs 679.42 crore), Health and Family Welfare department (Rs 344.09 crore) and Tourism Department (Rs 239.71 crore).
The CAG has recommended that J&K government should review whether to give more grants to the departments with huge pendency of UCs.
“Non submission of UCs results in non-assurance that the money was actually utilized for the purpose for which it was sanctioned/authorized by the Legislature. High pendency of UCs is fraught with the risk of misappropriation of funds and fraud. State Government may review whether they should continue to give more grants to departments with high pendency of UCs,” reads the report. The report was tabled in the Parliament on Monday. —(KNO)