Social audit recovery minimal in J&K; BDOs directed to recover Rs 59 lakh
Despite clear instructions, there has been a lapse in recovery in social audit under Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act 2005 or MNREGA in Jammu and Kashmir.
Section 17 of the Mahatma Gandhi MNREGA, 2005 inter-alia mandates a Social audit of all works executed under the MGNREGA.
During the review meeting of MGNREGA, it has been observed that despite a lapse of considerable time, Social Audit recovery performance is minimal in respect of the majority of the districts across the UT of Jammu and Kashmir, reads the order issued by Mandeep Kaur, Commissioner Secretary to the Government, Department of Rural Development and Panchayat Raj.
Accordingly, it is hereby ordered that all concerned Additional District Programme Coordinators (ACDs)/BDOs shall upload Action Taken Reports (ATRs) on all observations raised by the Social Audit Unit (SAU) since FY 2019-20, to date, the order reads.
“SAU to decide all cases on which ATRs have been uploaded and are pending at their level & subsequently the concerned BDOs’ to recover the finally decided recoverable amount as reported by Social Audit Unit under MGNREGA on priority before 15.02.2023 and get the amount deposited in SNA (State Nodal Account) of State Employment Guarantee Fund
If any officer/BDO fails to do so, the same amount shall be recovered out of their salaries of this month besides making entry to such extent in their service books”, the order added.
The order further added that the Director of Social Audit shall ensure that cases, where ATRs have been uploaded and are pending at the level of Social Audit Unit/DRPs, are decided on the most immediate basis.
Additional District Programme Coordinators (ACDs) shall be the Nodal Officers who shall personally monitor the progress of Social Audit Recovery and send compliance reports to the Administrative Department by or before 15-02-2023.
As per the order, there has been a financial misappropriation of Rs 59, 85, 772 in districts including Jammu, Kupwara, Poonch, Rajouri, Ramban, Srinagar, Pulwama, Budgam, Baramulla, Reasi, Samba, Kulgam, Kishtwar, Doda, Anantnag, Bandipora, Ganderbal, Kathua and Udhampur.
