Bhubaneswar, Sept 12: At least Rs 780 crore government funds were squandered away in giving Krushak Assistance for Livelihood and Income Augmentation (KALIA) assistance to the undeserved beneficiaries.
It was revealed after Odisha CM Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi tabled the CAG report in the State Assembly in the concluding Budget Session.
According the CAG Report, the Naveen Patnaik led Odisha government had disbursed over Rs 780 crore to more than 12 lakh ineligible beneficiaries under its KALIA scheme.
The CAG audit analyzed the KALIA scheme’s database against other systems like the Socio-Economic Caste Census (SECC), VAHAN (vehicle registration), IFMS (Integrated Financial Management System), and HRMS (Human Resources Management System). It found that Rs 782.26 crore was transferred to 12.72 lakh beneficiaries who were not eligible for the scheme.
According to the report, the KALIA assistance was extended to 65.64 lakh beneficiaries between 2019 and 2021. Of these, 41.64 lakh received three instalments, 8.09 lakh received two instalments, and 15.91 lakh got only one. The discrepancy arose when 9.76 lakh ineligible beneficiaries were identified.
On the CAG report on the irregularity in KALIA scheme, Odisha Deputy CM KV Singh Deo said, "The beneficiaries selected by the previous government are not correct. Which has been authenticated by the CAG report. After the current government submits the report given by the CAG, whatever action should be taken will be taken."
