BENGALURU: The State Finance Audit Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General of India, which was tabled in the Assembly on Tuesday, pointed to 61 cases of misappropriation and losses in state government departments. The report pointed to Rs 42.88 crore of government money, on which final action is pending at the end of 2022-23.
It stated that the health and family welfare department has the highest number of misappropriation cases of 10, followed by Karnataka State Coir Development Corporation with eight cases, home department six cases, Bescom five cases and four cases each at GESCOM and Karnataka Handloom Development Corporation. It noted that the interest earned on grants from the government in certain departments / companies was not remitted to the government in spite of instructions by the finance department.
This points to inadequate internal control and monitoring mechanisms in the state government. Further, in 15 cases of theft, misappropriation, loss of government materials and defalcation, departmental action is pending for over 25 years, it stated.
The CAG also said that despite the finance department issuing instructions to administrative departments to furnish information to audit the institutions that are substantially financed by the government, there was an increase in the number of institutions not furnishing the required information.
73% of govt school toilets not disabled friendly: CAG
The report on the implementation of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act raised the objection that over 73 per cent of government schools in Karnataka have toilets that are not friendly for students with disability.
The report also mentioned that 20,366 schools do not have ramps for such students. While schools in Bengaluru Urban, Kolar, Belgavai, Hassan and Kalaburgi have poor facilities, schools in Dakshina Kannada and Kodagu have better facilities, it stated.
CAG noted that as per Section 32 of the Act, all institutions of higher education receiving aid from the government must reserve not less than 5 per cent of seats for persons with benchmark disabilities. But the education department has not maintained data on the total number of seats available in government and aided colleges, it stated.
The CAG noted that existing special schools in the state offer education for students with hearing and visually disabilities. This requires the students to subsequently study in normal schools/ colleges (where there are no special teachers to cater to the needs of these students) or to discontinue studies and look for vocational courses of one or two-year duration. It observed that the department has not initiated action to commence higher secondary schools till Class 12 for the disabled.
Welfare board for cine activists
The government on Tuesday passed the Karnataka Cine and Cultural Activists (Welfare) Bill, 2024, to constitute a welfare board and establish a fund for financing schemes for cine and cultural activists. It has proposed a new cess of 1 to 2% on cinema tickets and against subscription fees of Over-the-Top (OTT) and television channels. The government will also provide grants to the Board, Labour Minister Santosh Lad said. Lad, who shall be ex-officio chairperson of the Karnataka Cine and Cultural Activists’ Welfare Board, said it will help over 50,000 people working in the cine and cultural sectors.
Cooperative Bill passed
The state government on Tuesday passed the Karnataka Cooperative Societies (Amendment) Bill in the Assembly despite opposition BJP and JDS legislators staging a walkout. The Bill empowers the government to nominate three persons as its representatives -- one from the Schedule Caste or Schedule Tribe, a woman and one from other categories -- on the board of the cooperative society. Cooperation Minister K N Rajanna clarified that the nominated members cannot contest the polls to become office-bearers.
Yettinahole trial run by July-end: DKS
The much-awaited Yettinahole project is expected to start trial operations by the end of July, said Deputy CM DK Shivakumar. Replying in the Assembly on Tuesday, Shivakumar said they are looking for an auspicious date to launch the project on trial from Yettinahole to Tumakuru. “Recently, the trial was taken up, but the pipe broke. We have repaired it, and after Ashada, we are going to initiate it,’’ he said. Shivakumar, who is also Water Resources Minister, said the state government is going to release a report on the status of the Yettinahole project. He also said there was an issue with the power supply, which has been sorted out.
Govt tables supplementary estimates of Rs 8.5k cr
The state government on Tuesday tabled the first instalment of supplementary estimates for the current financial year, aggregating to Rs 8,573.72 crore. It was tabled in the Assembly. The supplementary aggregate includes Rs 9.19 crore of charged expenditure and Rs 8,563.81 crore of voted expenditure. Of this, Rs 3,704.22 crore is to be met from reserve funds which also needs to be voted. Actual releases of the amount included in the supplementary estimates (first installment), as approved by the legislature, would be made based on the fiscal position and in compliance with provisions of the Karnataka Fiscal Responsibility Act 2002. Some of the additional expenditure of Rs 5 crore includes the purchase of vehicles for the secretariat and government offices. A demand for Rs 5.5 crore for furniture for the House has also been placed. Rs one crore for MLAs as vehicle convenience and Rs 70 lakh towards computer grants has also been included.
MLAs bicker over Preamble in House
MLAs from all parties were wowed by the large display of the Preamble of the Constitution mounted on the walls on either side of the Assembly. While Leader of Opposition R Ashoka said the display is apt for the House, Deputy CM DK Shivakumar expressed happiness, quipping that the BJP is at least “giving respect” to the Constitution. Irked by this, BJP MLAs started raising anti-Congress slogans. Following this, Congress MLAs started creating a ruckus, forcing Speaker UT Khader to adjourn the House for some time.