New Delhi, July 22 (Inditop.com) When availability of quality teachers is a national concern, over Rs.87 million in central funding for teachers training has been lying unused for around 14 years in Bihar, according to the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG).
The latest CAG report says: “Failure of the (human resource development) ministry in monitoring the utilisation of grants released to the Bihar government for establishing District Institutes of Education and Training (DIET) and Colleges of Teachers Education resulted in retention of Rs.8.73 crore.”
“The expenditure figures furnished by the Bihar government in April 2007 disclosed that against a grant of Rs.15.66 crore released by the ministry, expenditure of Rs.6.93 crore had been made leaving an unspent balance of Rs.8.73 crore, including Rs.3 crore pertaining to Jharkhand,” the report added.
With so much money remaining unspent for nearly 14 years, its impact on the consolidated fund of India is Rs.114 million (including the interest), the report said.
The official auditors have also mentioned that in spite of the case being referred to the HRD ministry in September 2008, their reply is awaited.
The CAG said the first instalment of the funds was released in 1993 to the undivided Bihar for establishment and up-gradation of teachers training infrastructure.
Jharkhand was carved out of Bihar in December 2000, but a portion of the money has not gone to the new state for the same purpose.
