The Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) of India submitted a performance audit report on the Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana (PMUY) on December 11, 2019. The PMUY scheme was launched in May 2016 with the objective of providing Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) connections to women from below poverty line (BPL) households.
The audit aimed to examine whether: (i) connections under the scheme have been released to eligible and intended beneficiaries, (ii) the scheme has led to sustained usage of LPG, and (iii) any measures have been undertaken to improve the distribution network. The report audited the implementation of the scheme between May 2016 and December 2018. Key findings of the report are:
Identification of beneficiaries: In order to get a connection under the scheme, the eligible beneficiaries (women from BPL households) have to provide the following: (a) proof of residential address, (b) Aadhaar number, and (c) details of bank account. After receiving the application, the distributor verifies the application and a new connection is allotted. The report finds that of the 3.78 crore total connections issued under the scheme, 1.6 crore (42%) were issued only on the basis of Aadhaar number of the beneficiary.
Under the scheme, the identification of BPL households is based on the Social Economic and Caste Census (SECC) data. The report finds cases of mismatch in the names of beneficiaries between the PMUY consumer database and the SECC data (12.5 lakh cases). Further, it noted of instances (1.9 lakh cases) where connections were released to men.
CAG recommended that the LPG distributors should use measures such as data validation to prevent issuance of connections to ineligible persons. Further, electronic KYC should be initiated for authenticating genuineness of beneficiaries.
Sustained usage of LPG: CAG observed that a total of 7.2 crore connections have been issued under the scheme against a target of eight crore by March 2020 (90%). Further, the LPG coverage in the country has increased from 62% in May 2016 to 94% in March 2019. However, the average annual refill consumption for PMUY beneficiaries has remained low, compared to non-PMUY consumers. This points to a lack of sustained usage of LPG by the beneficiaries under the scheme.
LPG distributors provide the beneficiaries an option to opt for a loan for covering the expense of cooking stove and first refill. CAG noted that low consumption of refills has also hindered loan recovery worth Rs 1,235 crore for the distributors. It recommended that since the target of releasing connections has broadly been achieved, the scheme should now be focused towards sustained usage.
Delay in installation: Under the scheme, new connections should be installed within seven days from the day of providing required details. CAG observed that only 72.7 lakh connections (19%) were installed within seven days. In 1.8 crore (47%) cases, the time taken was more than 30 days. In 1.3 lakh cases, connections were not installed. Delay of more than 10 days was noted in delivery of 36 lakh refills.
Diversion of cylinders: The report finds that nearly 14 lakh beneficiaries consumed three to 41 cylinders in a month, and nearly two lakh beneficiaries had an annual consumption of more than 12 cylinders. CAG noted that this points to risk of domestic cylinders being diverted for commercial purposes and recommended that high consumption cases should be regularly reviewed to curb diversion.
Safety standards: Pre-installation inspection is required before issuing LPG connections to ensure that a beneficiary’s premises meets required safety standards (such as ventilated kitchen, elevated stove). CAG observed that there were many instances where installation inspection report was not available. Further, it noted instances of unsafe practices by beneficiaries, such as the stove being kept on ground. It recommended: (a) exploring subsidy for the cost of mandatory inspection, (b) organising safety campaigns to ensure safe usage by beneficiaries.
Lack of performance indicators: CAG noted that there are no parameters to assess outcomes related to the scheme such as improvement in health of women and reduction in air pollution. It recommended that the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas should develop a roadmap to assess these outcomes.
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The Standing Committee on Human Resource Development (Chair: Dr. Satyanarayan Jatiya) submitted its report on the Khelo India scheme on December 10, 2019. The scheme aims to revive the sports culture in India and promote excellence in sports. Key observations and recommendations of the Committee include:
Administration: The Khelo India scheme is implemented by a General Council chaired by the minister-in-charge. The Council functions as the policy making body for the scheme. The Committee recommended that an eminent sportsperson or sports administrator should be appointed as the Chief Executive Officer of the General Council to oversee the implementation of the scheme. It noted that such a person would be sensitive to problems faced by athletes and could act as an interface between athletes and the administration.
Utilisation of funds: The Committee observed that during 2018-19 and 2019-20, the actual expenditure on the Khelo India scheme was Rs 324 crore and Rs 318 crore, respectively. However, the estimated allocation was Rs 520 crore and Rs 500 crore, respectively. The Department of Sports specified several constraints in the implementation of the scheme such as inadequate funds, human resources and sports infrastructure. It noted the need for an increased budget to remedy these constraints.
The Committee recommended that the Department should first utilise funds allocated to it, and then mobilise other resources. Other resources could include: (i) funds from private and corporate sectors, (ii) public private partnerships to create sports infrastructure, and (iii) converging the scheme with the Members of Parliament Local Area Development Scheme. This scheme enables MPs to implement developmental work in their constituencies.
Talent identification: The Committee observed that the process of talent identification was complex and lengthy. Talent identification begins with pan-India trials of children by talent scouts (eminent coaches and players). Once players are shortlisted from these competitions, they are called for an assessment camp, where a final list of players is composed. These players are then sent to sports academies for training. The Committee noted that repeated tests for sportspersons can lead to favouritism and regionalism in the selection process. It recommended that a single window selection procedure should be followed.
Shortage of coaches: The Committee observed that there are 1,524 posts for coaches in various cadres. At present, 980 of these posts are filled, creating a shortfall of 544 coaches. It recommended that the vacant posts for coaches should be filled expediently. Further, the Department should collaborate with coaches running private sports academies to help train athletes.
Sports infrastructure: The Committee noted that schools, colleges, and universities lack sports infrastructure. Currently, to fill these gaps in sports infrastructure, the Department uses two mechanisms: (i) setting up sports centres in select universities, and (ii) providing grants to states to build infrastructure. The Committee observed that only 13 states have been given these grants. It noted that certain states including Bihar, Jharkhand, and Odisha did not receive any grants. The Committee recommended that the Ministry should develop sports infrastructure in these states and tribal areas where unassessed sporting talent may exist to ensure uniformity in sports infrastructure across states.
To increase sports infrastructure, the Committee recommended that private residential schools with sports facilities of international standards in at least four disciplines should be identified. Such schools should be developed as centres for sports excellence in every district of the country.
Education: The Khelo India scheme identifies and trains players for international sports events such as the Olympics. The Committee noted that in 2018-19, of the 1,518 players selected for training, only 625 joined the accredited academies, and 893 dropped out. It identified the main reason for drop-outs as a lack of integrated education at the academies. The Committee recommended that the academies should have educational and hostel facilities so that trainees can complete their basic education. Further, training spaces in existing private schools, colleges and academies with hostels, should be identified. These may be affiliated under the Khelo India scheme and provided with certified coaches for the purpose of training sportspersons.
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