The Hindu       26.07.2012

Rs. 1.57-cr advances pending in municipalities

Advances paid to different levels of officials in municipalities to execute official works have to be adjusted within three months of the completion of work or they will be treated as misappropriation of funds and action would be initiated on those officers. This fundamental principle is not being followed in most of the municipalities in East, West Godavari and Krishna districts which come under Regional Director cum Appellate Authority of Municipal Administration of Rajahmundry. The arrears of such advances have accumulated more than to Rs.1.57 crores for several years in East Godavari only and it would be around Rs.5 crore in the region.

However, two days ago, the Andhra Pradesh Lokayukta had directed R. Rajendra Prasad, Municipal RD to recover the entire advances from officials or take disciplinary action on them. On a complaint filed by G. Madhusudhana Rao of Mandapeta in Lokayukta on recovery of advances by Municipalities from officials, the authority has given this direction.

According to Mr. Rajendra Prasad, Tuni and Amalapuram Municipalities have adjusted the amount against advances, whereas Rajahmundry is having Rs.53.65 lakh, Kakinada Rs.61.01 lakh, Pitapuram Rs.9.31 lakh, Samalkot Rs.0.82 lakh and Ramachandrapuram Rs.11 lakh.

‘Recovery difficult’

These advances are pending with present employees, retired employees and those employees who have expired after retirement. It is surprising to note that the amount of pending advances are ranging from Rs.20 to Rs.10 lakhs from Engineering, health, sanitation and other departments in municipalities and few advances have been pending from 1960 also. “It is very difficult to recover Rs.20 pending advance from a retired person as postage of notices, court case and others will come around Rs.500 to Rs.1000,” Mr. Rajendra Prasad added. After receiving memos, some Municipal Commissioners gave a via media suggestion to the erring officials to pay their recovery amount in instalments.

“If some one has not submitted accounts for advance amount within three months, it is clearly mentioned that it amounts to misappropriation. Where is the question of instalment system for misappropriation?” Mr. Rajendra Prasad asked. He said before the end of October, the entire amount should be remitted to municipalities as per Lokayukta direction.