Exclusive News : Lok Lekha Samiti report pending for 7 years while ‘Anupalan Samiti’s report pending for 13 years

Special Correspondent : Mr Pritam Nachanekar

Mumbai – Lok Lekha is an important committee of the legislature, which based on the Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG)’s report, verifies works carried out by different Government departments and the utilisation of funds on such works. This committee plays an important role in preventing wastage of the Government’s money and in bringing fiscal coordination in the State.

From 2018, however, i.e. in the last seven years, not a single report has been submitted by Lok Lekha Samiti to the Maharashtra legislature. Even more serious than this issue is the ‘Anupalan (implementation)’ report has not been submitted on the recommendations made by the Lok Lekha Samiti from 2012 i.e. for 13 years. It is a very serious matter from the viewpoint of administrative work in the State and it creates doubts about the trustworthiness of the Government and the administration and the Maharashtra Government and administration needs to pay serious attention to these matters.

Hundreds of proofs presented by CAG on the reports have been pending in the States and the Lok Lekha Samiti has been continuously following up the matter with the different departments of the Government. The Government has issued GRs time and again to complete the work related to pending proofs. Incompetency of officers, shortage of number of officers and staff, etc are the reasons for such a large number of pending proofs. Presently, out of seven approved posts in Lok Lekha Vibhag of the Government, 3 posts are lying vacant.

Result of politics of division

There are 25 various committees of the State Legislative Assembly. Members from all parties are elected on these committees as per their strength. In 2022, BJP and Shiv Sena coalition Government was formed in the State; but due to the splits in Shiv Sena and NCP and the consequent legal dispute about the original Shiv Sena and NCP, not a single committee was formed in two and half years. As such, no meetings were held of legislature committees and the workload on committees has increased. Mainly, Lok Lekha and ‘Ashwasan (Promises)’ committees have suffered a lot.

Method of working of the legislature

CAG conducts audits of the Government workings and submits its report to the legislature. Lok Lekha committee obtains proof from the officers of the concerned departments on the points raised by CAG, exposing issues related to corruption, officers shirking from their duty, standard of work carried out etc. Lok Lekha Samiti submits the report to the legislature. Lok Lekha Samiti also submits a report to the legislature on the action taken on the recommendations made in the report which is known as ‘Anupalan’ report.

It is not mandatory for the Government to submit ‘Anupalan’ report or take action on the recommendations of Lok Lekha Samiti on CAG’s report; however, non-submission of Lok Lekha report and ‘Anupalan’ report on implementation in so many years is detrimental to democracy.