Agricultural plans prepared in Karnataka under Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (RKVY) were done without any study on the existing resources, says the Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG).

CAG in its report on local bodies for the year ended March 2013, has pointed out that projects approved did not have any convergence with ongoing schemes.

“The financial management under the RKVY was deficient as evidenced by incorrect reporting of expenditure, diversion of funds, parking of funds in fixed deposits and idle equipment,” it said.

RKVY was launched in May 2007 with the aim of achieving four per cent annual growth in agricultural sector during the XI plan by ensuring holistic development of agriculture and allied sectors.

Fund allocation

Against the release (2007-13) of ₹2,307.52 crore under the scheme, the expenditure incurred was ₹2,082.59 crore (90 per cent). During the XI Plan, the State Level Sanctioning Committee (SLSC) had approved 296 projects spread across 19 sectors.

There was a short release of funds for project costs ranging from ₹37 crore to ₹98.32 crore for three sectors – agricultural research, micro/minor irrigation and organic farming.

Funds up to 84 per cent had been utilised in those test-checked by CAG in 15 projects.

The CAG report also said, “The objectives of the test-checked projects were not achieved due to non-execution of all the envisaged components, deviations from the project guidelines, shortfall in manpower etc.

There were differences between the data uploaded in RKVY Database and Management Information System and information available with the implementing agencies. Erroneous entries had been made in the database system and there was no system of monitoring this data by RKVY cell.”

The Karnataka Government stated (April 2014) that the projects were presented to the SLSC by the respective departments in consultation with the district level officers.

Inadequate research

However, the reason for these projects not originating from district agriculture plan (DAP) or state agriculture plan (SAP) was not explained.

CAG said, “No study on agro-climatic conditions and availability of technology and natural resources available in the State was conducted before preparation of DAP and SAP, though stipulated in the Scheme guidelines. The Project Co-ordinator, RKVY Cell, had stated (September 2013) that University of Agriculture Sciences, Bangalore had conducted a study during 1984-85 under National Agriculture Research Project.

The reply was not acceptable as a study conducted two decades ago would not be relevant unless updated.”

comment COMMENT NOW