CAG finds deficiencies in implementation of scheme for widows,

The CAG today slammed the Haryana government for "failing" to implement the scheme meant to provide shelter, food, clothing to young widows and destitute women in the state.
It found "deficiencies" in the implementation of Homes for Widows and Destitute Women scheme in its latest audit report.
The government auditor said the deficiencies in implementation of this scheme was evident from the non-repair of buildings and poor occupancy of rooms in homes for widows and destitute women and the lack of training and education to make them self-reliant.
The CAG test checked three homes, one Mahila Ashram each in Karnal and Rohtak, and the Kasturba Seva Sadan in Faridabad.

Out of the total expenditure of Rs 7.45 crore incurred by three homes, an expenditure of Rs 6.50 crore was incurred on pay and allowances of staff during 2011-2016 while only an amount of Rs 95 lakh was spent on these homes, the Auditor stated.
Pointing out less occupancy in these homes, the report said the occupancy of rooms ranged between 60 to 67 per cent in Karnal, 34 to 41 per cent in Rohtak and 28 to 49 per cent in Faridabad.

Not even a single application was received for admission in the Kasturba Sewa Sadan, the report said.

CAG also observed that some blocks of homes were completely or partially lying vacant and their conditions had further deteriorated.
The report said the women and children development department had not conducted any survey to identify beneficiaries of the scheme in the districts.
"No assessment of requirement has been carried out nor new homes have been constructed so far in the other 18 districts of the state. Admission in Kasturba Sewa Sadan has also been stopped since June 2016," the report said.
It was also found that in the Mahila Ashrams and the Kasturba Sewa Sadan, 31 of the 97 occupants were illiterate, it said.

As per scheme guidelines, proper education was to be given to these occupants to make them self-reliant. But the department did not take any initiative towards this end, the report said.