|
Raising concerns over the insufficient level of liquidation of Utilisation Certificates (UCs) related to the schemes under the Ministry of Ayush, the Parliamentary Panel on Health and Family Welfare has urged the Ministry to intensify efforts to expedite the clearance of pending UCs, particularly under the National Ayush Mission (NAM).
The Department-related Parliamentary Standing Committee on Health and Family Welfare in its 168th report on action taken by the government on the recommendations the Panel has made in the 165th report on Demands for Grants 2025-26 of the Ministry of Ayush, observed that only Rs. 475 crore worth of Utilization Certificates (UCs) have been liquidated in 2024-25, which is grossly insufficient given the backlog of over 1,500 pending UCs under NAM.
Given the critical role UCs play in ensuring transparency, accountability, and effective scheme implementation, the mounting issue of pending liquidation of UCs should be a matter of concern for the Ministry. This shortcoming hampers timely monitoring and subsequent fund releases, adversely affecting project outcomes, said the Panel.
"The Committee, therefore, urges the Ministry to intensify efforts to expedite the clearance of pending UCs, particularly under the National Ayush Mission, to meet prescribed timelines," said the Panel headed by Prof. Ram Gopal Yadav in its latest report.
The Panel also recommended that the Ministry set a target to limit pending UCs below 10% of the total UCs at any given time, "and eventually it shall move towards nil pendency".
The Ministry should strengthen coordination with states and UTs, incentivise timely submissions, and promote optimal use of the NAM portal to ensure prompt and complete liquidation of UCs, thereby safeguarding the integrity and success of Ayush schemes.
"The Committee may be apprised of the updated status of UCs for the year 2023-24 and 2024-25," it added.
In the previous report, the Panel opined that UC in government systems is a crucial document that verifies how funds allocated for a specific project or scheme have been spent. Moreover, UC ensures transparency and accountability by demonstrating that the fund allocation has been used for its intended purpose and not misappropriated, and that the project achieved its desired outcomes.
The Panel has observed and recommended time and again regarding the delay in clearing pending UCs and expressed concern over pending UCs to number of 1,549 involving Rs. 1,608.29 crore during 2023-24 and a total number of 1,521 pending UCs involving an amount to the tune of Rs. 1,765.85 crore in 2024-25.
In that report, the Panel observed that the largest share in pending UCs is that of NAM with 897 UCs worth Rs. 1,592.09 crore.
"Timely submission of UCs is very crucial in scheme monitoring, subsequent release of funds and successful implementation of the scheme. The Committee, therefore, strongly recommends that the Ministry must expedite its efforts in liquidating UCs as per standard timeline set for the activity. states/UTs may be persuaded and encouraged to use the NAM portal efficiently for the submitting UCs, SAAPs etc," it added.
Following this, the Ministry in its Action Taken Report to the Panel, that various efforts to liquidate the outstanding UCs are going on continuously in the Ministry and the status of Pending UCs is being reviewed on weekly basis by Secretary (Ayush) in the Senior Officers’ Meeting.
National Medicinal Plants Board (NMPB) section of the Ministry informed that it is taking various steps to expedite pending UCs, including efforts from the programme divisions to regularly follow up with the project implementing agencies (State Forest Departments) and also hand holds Principal Investigators of the projects to submit the correct UC related documents. It also sends letters to the head of various departments and project implementing agencies from time to time, and review meetings are conducted in virtual mode for liquidation of pending UCs, it added.
NAM section informed that to obtain or liquidate UCs, the Ministry is in regular touch with states and UTs and even officials are also being sent to states and UTs for the same. The Central team visiting the States for reviewing NAM activities or other purposes are also flagging any issues of UCs invariably in all the meetings.
"As per conditions of Dept. of Expenditure funds are released to each states/UTs only after receiving 75% of their UCs. Due to the efforts of the Ministry, UCs for an amount of Rs. 474.53 crore has been liquidated in 2024-25," the Ministry informed the Panel.
|