CAG Finds 62 Per Cent Rural Power Works Incomplete in Jammu Kashmir, Ladakh | Kashmir Life

SRINAGAR: A performance audit by the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) has exposed major lapses in the implementation of the Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Gram Jyoti Yojana (DDUGJY) in Jammu and Kashmir, including Ladakh.

The audit report tabled in Parliament on December 18 reveals that Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh failed to complete 62.62 per cent of the sanctioned work before the scheme’s closure in March 2022.

The audit also observed that 20 States and Union Territories could not execute the quantum of work ranging between 3.31 per cent and 62.62 per cent till the closure of the scheme. Particularly, Jammu and Kashmir, Ladakh and Tripura could not complete 62.62 per cent and 20.72 per cent of their respective sanctioned project costs.

In its response to the audit observations, the Union Ministry of Power stated that the delay in Jammu and Kashmir was due to unexpected events.

“In respect of Jammu and Kashmir, it was stated that delays happened due to unexpected events, that is, issues in tendering and hostile terrain,” the report said.

The Centre had launched the scheme — Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Gram Jyoti Yojana (DDUGJY) — in December 2014 to provide continuous and reliable electricity supply to rural areas through feeder separation, strengthening of distribution infrastructure and rural electrification initiatives.

The DDUGJY guidelines stipulated that in a project, the work was to be completed within 24 months from the date of issue of the Letter of Award in case of turnkey contracts and within 30 months in case of partial turnkey contracts or departmental execution.

The Monitoring Committee overseeing the implementation of DDUGJY, in its 23rd meeting held on December 21, 2021, instructed state distribution companies (DISCOMs) to take up only those works that could be completed by December 31, 2021.

It was also conveyed that works executed beyond December 31, 2021, would not be funded under the scheme. (KNO)