The Hindu 26.07.2012
Rs. 1.57-cr advances pending in municipalities
Lokayukta directs Municipal Regional Director to recover the amount
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.
- The amount has been pending with employees, retired staff and those who expired
- The amount should have been adjusted within three months of completion of works
