Par panel cites flaws in implementation of green programmes

A report adopted by the Public Accounts Committee earlier this week, is believed to have expressed shock over the loot of public money in the name of afforestation and pulled up the Centre for not taking action against the guilty.

The panel, which will submit its report in both Houses of Parliament, is understood to have agreed with the CAG report which pointed out serious faults in the implementation of environmental programmes and in the functioning of various institutions working under the Environment Ministry.

The committee, chaired by BJP leader Murli Manohar Joshi, is believed to have noted that the National Afforestation and Eco-Development Board (NAEB), which is responsible for promoting afforestation programme, directly disbursed the funds to the voluntary agencies without taking the state Governments into confidence.

The committee is understood to have taken serious note of the issue as the audit has found that out of total 647 projects, only 20 voluntary agencies could comply with all relevant procedures as laid down by the NAEB.

The Ministry is learnt to have admitted before the panel that in 269 cases the Voluntary Agencies disappeared after receiving the first installment of the grant and 246 such agencies vanished after receiving two installments.

Expressing shock over the loot in the public money in the name of afforestation, the panel is learnt to have recommended a third party monitoring of the afforestation programme for its transparent implementation.