Loss assessment reports not prepared for 82 sub-projects before WB-funded JTFRP: CAG

Jammu, Mar 30: Damage and loss assessment reports were not prepared for 82 projects out of 213 sub projects, before their commencement, under World Bank aided Jhelum Tawi Flood Recovery Project (JTFRP).

The Jhelum Tawi Flood Recovery Project (JTFRP) had been taken up to support the recovery process in project areas affected by 2014 floods.

Gaping holes in the functioning of J&K Planning, Development and Monitoring Department in the restoration of essential services and strengthening of disaster risk management system under JTFRP have been flagged by the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) of India in its compliance audit report for the period ended March 2023.

The compliance audit report was among seven reports tabled by the Chief Minister Omar Abdullah in the Legislative Assembly on Monday, March 30, 2026.

In its specific compliance audit pertaining to the Planning, Development and Monitoring Department on restoration of essential services under JTFRP, CAG observed delays in tendering and changing of experts etc.

“This led to delays in completion of the projects. Infrastructure projects not proposed by the Line Departments were sanctioned while some of the projects proposed by them were not included,” it was flagged with concern.

JTFRP, funded through assistance from the World Bank (WB), also aimed to increase infrastructure for disaster resilience and capacity of the Project Implementing Units (PIUs) to respond promptly and effectively to a crisis or emergency.

Out of a total of 213 sub-projects under JTFRP, 174 were completed as of December 2023. Out of these 213 sub-projects, 82 sub-projects were selected for detailed check in audit.

“It was observed that damage and loss assessment reports were not prepared for selected projects before their commencement. Activities like retrofitting of critical buildings and Hydro Meteorological Action Plan intended for managing disaster risks, enhancing preparedness and achieving resilient recovery, although identified in the Project Appraisal Document (PAD), had not been executed,” the report pointed out.

Referring to another critical grey area in the execution of the project, the CAG report mentioned that hospital projects too were executed in flood prone areas though prohibited by National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), besides other (sub) projects.

In all, as per records of PMU (November 2023), 11 out of 213 sub-projects taken up for execution under JTFRP in J&K sanctioned at a cost of Rs 307.82 Cr were located in the flood prone areas. These included two hospital buildings and nine other projects. These hospitals buildings included 120 bedded specialised orthopaedic unit including 6 bedded ICU in Bone and Joint Hospital, Barzulla, Srinagar at a sanctioned cost of Rs 107.50 Cr, out of which Rs 59.36 Cr were expended till December 2023 and Extension Block at Lalla Ded hospital Srinagar for infertility, gynae, oncology ward or block at a sanctioned cost of Rs 132.55 Cr, out of which Rs 32.75 Cr have already been spent till December 2023.

CAG report flagged that irregular and idle expenditure was incurred on upgradation of dewatering stations by Srinagar Municipal Corporation (SMC).

Deficiencies in purchase and installation of machinery and equipment included excess payment on procurement or rescue equipment, avoidable expenditure on procurement of Fire & Emergency machinery and modular monitor.

Idle investment in the purchase of Search and Rescue kits, hospital machinery automated embedding systems was also noticed.

Monitoring of projects was not done in accordance with the World Bank guidelines as the periodical meetings of the Project Steering Committee were not held regularly and the operational manual for execution of projects under JTFRP was not prepared.

The Comptroller and Auditor General of India has recommended the J&K government to ensure the projects are taken up as per the Project Appraisal Document and after approval from the Project Steering Committee.

It has also been directed to ensure completion of projects in a time bound manner and update the Management Information System and strictly monitor the implementation of the sub-projects.