Question : DIVERSION OF FUNDS

(a) whether the Government of Andhra Pradesh, Assam, Bihar, Madhya Pradesh, Manipur, Orissa, Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh kept Rs.79.22 crores out of the Central funds of Rs.121.21 crore in PD Accounts and Bihar diverted Rs.41.99 crore for other purposes consequent to which 1.36 lakh Non-Formal Education Centres could not be set up in the said States depriving 34 lakh children of the benefits of the scheme during 1995-96 to 1999-2000;

(b) if so, whether the funds released by the Union Government for the construction of hostel for the children in Bihar is not being used for the purpose but for other purposes like running of police stations and other offices;

(c) if so, whether the Government have made any enquiries into the matter of diversion of funds; and

(d) if so, the action taken by the Government in the matter, particularly with regard to Bihar?

THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT (PROF. RITA VERMA)


(a) to (d) The Comptroller & Auditor General of India’s Report No.3 of 2002 (Civil), which was laid before Parliament on 19th March 2002, has highlighted certain apparent irregularities in the utilisation of funds released to the States for Non-Formal Education. The observations of the C&AG have already been circulated to the States and their response is awaited.