GUWAHATI: As per direct benefit transfer (DBT) Mission Guidelines, use of PFMS is mandatory for payment accounting and reporting under DBT w.e.f., 01 April 2015. DBT Cell has the responsibility to identify DBT schemes or DBT components of schemes and classify them. However, audit scrutiny by Comptroller and Auditor (CAG) General of India revealed that the State DBT Cell in Assam did not play the envisaged role in implementation of DBT enabled schemes as no aggregate data of the schemes being implemented in the State was available with them.
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“A total of 94 schemes under 17 departments have been brought under the ambit of DBT in the State. However, it was observed that out of the four schemes covered by Audit, funds under Deen Dayal Divyangjan Pension scheme were transferred to beneficiaries through NEFT/RTGS in violation of the guidelines. As such, tracking of funds released under the scheme, and real time reporting of expenditure at all levels of programme implementation remained unknown,” said the CAG report. Further, guidelines/norms/instructions formulated by the State DBT Cell for classifying a scheme as a DBT scheme was neither found on record nor could be provided to audit, though called for.
As per the Guidelines for State DBT Cell, the State DBT Cell was expected to achieve some objectives - Coordinating with Centre/Ministries and disseminating the directives to the respective departments in the States; Developing scheme/department-specific ICT applications to capture data pertaining to DBT more effectively; Closely monitoring and evaluating the progress of various departments on DBT-related indicators vis-à-vis expected outcomes; Incorporating best practices and international experiences to enhance the effectiveness of benefits delivery, and partnering with multi-lateral agencies and consulting firms to piggyback on their technological and industry knowledge.
In Assam, the State DBT cell was constituted on 22 August 2017 with Chief Secretary to Government of Assam (GoA) as the Chairperson. The State DBT portal is coordinated by the Department of Information and Technology and its onsite technical support is being maintained under the Finance Department, the nodal Department for DBT. As of 18 September 2020, the State has registered 94 schemes implemented by 17 Departments in DBT Bharat portal.
The audit highlighted that the State DBT Cell did not create adequate IT infrastructure and robust database for seamless implementation of various Central and State schemes under DBT.
During 2018-19 to 2019-20, audit noted 2,424 cases where the same beneficiaries had claimed pension in multiple districts under Deen Dayal Divyangjan Pension Scheme.
There were instances of excess payment being made to duplicate beneficiaries. Excess payment of ₹1.90 crore was made to 1,901 beneficiaries under Deen Dayal Divyangjan Pension Scheme while 451 students had availed scholarship under Pre-matric Scholarship for ST more than once resulting in excess payment of ₹10.21 lakh.
Payment of scholarships at hostel rates was made to students of such schools where there was no hostel facility. During test-check of 101 schools, audit witnessed fraudulent payment of ₹5.92 crore in 86 such schools on account of scholarship payment to minorities students towards hostel charges.
In sampled districts, fake payment of scholarship amounting to ₹2.98 crore was made to 3,138 students who were not enrolled in schools.
