Rs 4.55 cr infructuous expense in launch of Atal Jyoti Abhiyan

An infructuous expenditure of Rs 4.55 crore in inaugural function of 'Atal Jyoti Abhiyan' and loss of Rs 35.8 crore due to writing off of electricity dues of BPL families by Madhya Pradesh government have been pointed out in an inspection report of Accountant General (AG) office.
The Madhya Pradesh government had started 'Atal Jyoti Abhiyan' scheme early this year to provide 24-hour electricity in rural households and at least eight hours for agriculture sector.
The state's department of energy had directed all Commissioners and District Collectors that (inauguration of) the Atal Jyoti Abhiyan be treated as "utsav" (celebration), incorporating local bodies and gram panchayat, it said.

The Madhya Pradesh Poorv Kshetra Vidyut Vitaran Company Limited (MPPKVVCL), a wholly owned subsidiary of the state government mandated with distribution and retail supply of electricity, has implemented the scheme in five districts -- Jabalpur, Mandla, Shahdol, Anuppur and Umaria.
"For implementation or inaugural function, the company has paid Rs 42.50 lakh to the respective Collectors. In addition to this, Rs 37.50 lakh has been approved by the Managing Director for the implementation or inaugural function of this scheme in other 15 districts at the rate of Rs 2.50 lakh in each.
"Thus, a total amount of Rs 80 lakh has been approved and paid," the report, accessed through RTI by activist Ajay Dubey and based on inspection carried out in April, said.

The board of directors has approved another Rs 25 lakh each for 15 districts for conducting the inaugural function in a professional manner with the help of 'Madhya Pradesh Madhyam' (a state government undertaking) and to demand grant from the state government. This would work out to be Rs 375 lakh (Rs 3.75 cr), it said.
The company (having a separate entity) has undertaken the programme of state government with its own funds. Incurring Rs 455 lakh (Rs 80 lakh and Rs 375 lakh) for such programme is not in line with the "financial propriety" of the company and needs justification, the report said.

"Thus, incurring Rs 455 lakh (Rs 4.55 crore) for inaugural function is not in line with financial propriety and this expenditure has become infructuous," the report said.