Audit report finds Industrial Promotion Policy norms violated by MP Police
17 Oct, 2013
The audit report prepared by the Accountant General of Madhya Pradesh has revealed that financial irregularities could have taken place in the withdrawal of Centre's aid of Rs. 26 crore meant for modernization of police force.
The audit report, accessed through the Right to Information (RTI) Act, states that in 2011-12, the central government had given Rs. 54.54 crore to the state government for the modernization of state police force. Out of these, only around Rs. 27.68 crore was spent and the remaining Rs. 26.85 crore was deposited though challan in the account of Accountant General, Gwalior. However, as per the audit report, the remaining amount was later 'hastily withdrawn' without taking necessary approval thus violating the financial rules.
The report said that of this amount, about Rs. 4 crore was meant for strengthening police infrastructure in Naxal-affected districts and Rs. 60 lakh were for anti-human trafficking cell. The audit also reports that the authorities violated the Industrial Promotion Policy norms that make it mandatory that about 30% of purchase (in this case around Rs. 6 crore) has to be done from businessmen of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes category. The report also pointed that the authorities failed to realize Rs. 18.44 crore of security charges for police guards to government and private bodies. The report further alleges that Rs. 44 lakh were illegally spent on purchase of items by Police Welfare Centre.
The RTI applicant has said that he will bring the irregularities to the notice of the Chief Minister.