Farmers not getting dues, but ministers getting excess salary!
Belagavi: While the compensation to the kin of farmers who committed suicide remains undisbursed, ministers drew more than their consolidated salary. Besides, the government provided over Rs 95 lakh for purchasing a vehicle for the governor, and paid Rs 10 lakh to IAS officers to meet medical and ‘other expenses'. These anomalies were pointed out by the CAG in its report tabled in the Legislative Assembly on Tuesday.
Coming down heavily on IAS officers, the CAG said additional funds provided under ’Other Allowance' were unnecessary. Besides, the government had not intimated the reasons for excess funds provided under ‘Consolidated Salaries' to ministers to the extent of Rs 3.26 crore. Such excess payments had happened during 2014-15 too. Besides, an additional Rs 1 crore was provided for ‘Travel Expenses' to meet additional expenditure due to increase in the number of ministers, the CAG said.
At the same time, the government had allotted Rs 7 crore and Rs 2.5 crore under Other Agricultural Schemes for paying compensation in farmer suicide cases. However, Rs 67.9 lakh was surrendered without giving specific reasons. Similarly, Rs 65.15 lakh under Other Agricultural Schemes - Scholarships and Incentives to the tune of Rs 65.15 lakh was surrendered without any reason, the CAG said.