Pipes worth Rs 1.55-cr remain unutilised in PHE Dept: CAG

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, April 15

Comptroller and Auditor General’s (CAG) report for the state for the year 2015 has revealed that stoneware pipes valuing Rs 1.55 crore remained unutilised in the Public Health Engineering (PHE) Department resulting in blockade of funds for more than five years.

The reason reportedly is excessive purchase by the department and subsequent changes in requirement specifications.

The report said according to the rules, purchases must be made in accordance with the requirements and not in advance. Further, the quantity of heavy items of consumption like cement, steel, pipes, etc should be circulated and considered for inter-divisional transfer.

The CAG observed that the department purchased 23,428 stoneware pipes of various sizes through the Director, Haryana Supplies and Disposal, Chandigarh, for Rs 2.24 crore between July 2007 and April 2009 for laying sewer lines in Kaithal and Bahadurgarh. It was noticed during the audit that the work was executed through contractors and the pipes were provided and fixed by the contractual agencies.

Out of 28, 44,179 pipes, 13, 13,780 pipes (46 per cent) had been utilized and 15, 30,399 pipes (54 per cent) valuing Rs 1.55 crore were lying in the store as on August 2015.

It was further noticed during physical verification of the store that the pipes were lying in open since 2009 and were being damaged.

The Principal Secretary, Public Health Engineering Department, stated in July 2015 that due to sandy soil and heavy traffic at the site, the RCC pipes instead of stoneware pipes were used.

The CAG said the reply was unacceptable as the site conditions were required to be kept in view while estimating the pipes to be bought.