TEAM HERALD
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MARGAO: The Cuncolim Municipal Council now faces the risk of total non-payment of any grants to the civic body for non-compliance of directions on the audit report, even as CMC Chairperson Devendra Dessai has admitted that the amount of Rs 40 lakh was not recorded in the cash book though the amount was remitted in the Canara Bank as fixed deposit.
Director of Municipal Administration, Elvis Gomes had directed the Cuncolim civic body to take effective steps to set right deficiencies pointed out in the audit report carried out by Sr Audit Officer, office of the Accountant General. “Early action may be taken in this regard by activating your administrative set up. Non compliance of this may result in non-payment of any grants to your Municipal Council,” Gomes had written to the CMC Chairperson.
In reply, Desai has virtually expressed his helplessness in the matter by pointing out that he had directed the municipal accountant and the head clerk to give compliance to the central audit, but in vain. “Since September 2012, several reminders have been given to them, but till date no reply has been submitted by the Accountant and the head clerk,” Desai told the DMA.
In respect of the issue of Rs 40 lakh, the CMC Chairperson maintained that he has been informed by the cashier that the amount of Rs 40 lakh (principal amount) was remitted in the Canara bank and made fixed deposit, but the same entry is not recorded in the cash book.
He further pointed out that he had brought the matter to the notice of CMC Chief Officer, Shivaji B Dessai, but lamented that no appropriate action has been taken on the issue, even as he has promised to set right deficiencies as pointed out in the audit report.
Sources in the know said that the DMA has shot off a letter to the Cuncolim civic chief and has threatened to stop payments of grants after Urban Development Minister Francis D’Souza conveyed his displeasure over the discrepancies pointed out in the audit report for the period between April 1, 2011 to March 31, 2012.
The issue has also come under the scanner of the Anti-Corruption Bureau after the file concerned was submitted to the agency for a detailed probe.
