Tardy Progress In Odisha’s BSY; CAG Spells Out The Reasons

Bhubaneswar: What is plauging Biju Setu Yojana (BSY) of the Odisha government? The comptroller and auditor general (CAG) has attributed delay in finalization of tender, deficiencies in survey resulting in changes in design, failure in resolving land issues and slow pace works by contractors as some of the reasons for its tardy progress.

THE REPORT

>> Only 59 per cent (473) of the total 793 bridge projects planned during 2017 to 2021 has been completed.

>> The authorities could spend only Rs 2,255 crore against the budget provision of Rs 2,570 crore under BSY, launched by the state government in 2011 to bridge all the missing links on roads in rural areas.

>> Work on 48 bridge projects remained incomplete after incurring expenditure of Rs 184 crore due to non-acquisition of land required for the bridge or for approach roads to the bridge.

>> In addition, manual excavation  resulted in extra expenditure of Rs 4.82 crore in 82 projects.

>> Poor monitoring by state quality monitors (SQM) and third-party quality monitors (TPQM). While SQM did not inspect 96% bridge works, the TPQM did not inspect 80% despite instructions.

The audit report also mentioned about the high-level bridge over river Suktel on Tamia Mudalsar road in Balangir district, which collapsed in April 2020 during dismantling after it developed cracks due to poor execution of work. It was completed in in September 2015 with an expenditure of Rs 7.58 crore.

CHILD CARE INSTITUTIONS 

The audit found inadequacies in physical infrastructure like dormitories, dining halls, kitchen and open space. Security measures in the CCIs, particularly, perimeter security walls were also not proper.

Of 3,181 children (boys: 1,695 and girls: 1,486) in the CCIs in Cuttack, Ganjam, Jharsuguda, Kalahandi, Khurda, Koraput, Mayurbhanj and Puri districts, only 48 children (1.51%) were identified for foster care and, of these, only 11 (23%) were actually placed under such care, the report said.

WORKING WOMEN’S HOSTELS

An occupancy of only 42% was reported during 2016-21 and it was attributed to poor repair and maintenance of these buildings, absence of basic facilities and lack of awareness. Eight working women’s hostels in the state, with bed strength of 603, were being utilized for other purposes, the report added.