Big Hand to Naxalism by the Government

Govt departments are indirectly providing big support to Naxalism in the country simply by tardy and slothful implementation. A Performance audit report by CAG has exposed the inability of the state governments to utilise the allocated funds meant for fighting naxalism. CAG review has identified five major areas of serious lapses –

Orissa

§          Bullet proof Jeeps could not be deployed simply because of non-availability of bullet-proof tyres and air-conditioning.

§          State acquired around 1067 vehicles of the required 1495 vehicles.

§          Vehicles also could not be used since there was a shortfall of 971 drivers.

§          All these requirements could not be fulfilled despite the state having a plan outlay of Rs 244.17 crores (FYs 2000-04), of which only 30% was spent.

§          Rs 42.26 crores lay in deposits rather than being utilised for the purpose stated.

§          On arms only 30% of funds allocated were spent.

Andhra Pradesh

§          Funds sanctioned in 2002 for procuring modern weaponry. However these were utilised only in 2005-06. These procured guns did not reach police stations who continued to use the old & obsolete weapons like 0.410 Muskets & 0.303 rifles.

§          Over 1000 police stations in sensitive areas did not have any vehicle. Although 1250 vehicles were procured for these police stations, however these were diverted for VIP escorts, etc. 

§          For better information on the movement of naxalites, 60 Toyota vehicles were to be procured with GIS system. However the vehicles were procured without the GIS system defeating the very purpose of sanction.

§          To expedite sanction process an empowered committee was formed. It was supposed to organise 60 monthly meetings in 5 years, but only 2 meetings were organised during the entire period.

Jharkhand

§          Major disparities observed by CAG in an expenditure of Rs 147 crores during 2000-04 and CAG has not ruled out misappropriations.

§          Only 40% of the allocated funds spent.

§          Part of the funds used for purchase of vehicles for CM’s carcade.

Madhya Pradesh

§          Recommended response time for incidents was to be 5 minutes, but often it was far more and sometimes even more than 2 hours.

§          DNA lab did not start operating till 2006 even when Rs 3.35 crores was released in 2004 for the purpose.

§          During 2000-06 state had only 412 drivers against 688 vehicles.