Lok Sabha Question No. 150 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2020-02-03
Subject: Misappropriation of Funds
Ministry: CULTURE
Asked by: Upendra Singh Rawat

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF CULTURE LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 150

## TO BE ANSWERED ON 03.02.2020

## MISAPPROPRIATION OF FUNDS

## 150 .  SHRI UPENDRA SINGH RAWAT:

Will the Minister of CULTURE be pleased to state:

- (a)     whether it is a fact that there has been serious cases of misappropriation of funds which have come to light in the various departments and subordinate offices of the Ministry of Culture in the recent few years;
- (b)      it so, the details thereof office-wise for the last three years;
- (c)       whether the Government is taking any steps to curb this menace in the departments/offices;
- (d)      if so, the details thereof, and
- (e)      if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) FOR CULTURE AND TOURISM

## (PRAHLAD SINGH PATEL)

- (a) to (b) : Yes, Sir. The details of complaints are at Annexure.
- (c) to (e): Yes, Sir.  Ministry of Culture  is taking various steps to curb this menace as under:
1. Internal pre-check mechanism at every stage of processing and making of payments.
2. Use  of  computer  technology  and  customized  accounting  packages  and  increasing  the accuracy.
3. Enhanced transparency in all transactions.
4. Proper Audit mechanisms viz., Internal Audit, Statutory Audit (Transaction Audit), Financial Audit (SAR).
5. Vigilance mechanism including Vigilance Awareness Programmes, Integrity Pledge etc.,
6. Proper maintenance of all records and registers.
7. Disciplinary mechanism as per CCS (Conduct) Rules, 1964.
8. Constitution of Investigation Committee    as  and when required.
9. Adoption of Public Financial Management System Software.

## ANNEXURE REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) to (b) OF THE LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 150 FOR 03.02.2020

|   Sl.No. | COMPLAINTS                                                                                                                                        | PRESENT STATUS                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    |
|----------|---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
|        1 | Misappropriation of funds in Accounts of Centre for Cultural Resources and Training (CCRT), New Delhi                                             | Matter has been referred to Delhi Police. Crime Branch, Delhi Police is investigating the case.                                                                                                                                                                                   |
|        2 | Misutilisation of funds in Eastern Zonal Cultural Centre, Kolkata, during the years 2014- 2017.                                                   | Internal Audit Wing has reported certain cases of misutilisation of funds. Further investigation is going in the matter.                                                                                                                                                          |
|        3 | Lapses in undertaking renovation work of Barata Kalakshetra Auditorium also called Koothambaam in the premises of Kalakshetra Foundation, Chennai | CVC carried out intensive examination, Subsequently the matter was referred to CBI, New Delhi. The CBI have since registered a regular case.                                                                                                                                      |
|        4 | Complaint regarding misutilizaion of funds allocated to Sangeet Natak Akademi (SNA), New Delhi under the ICH Scheme                               | Ministry has constituted a Committee to look into the matter. SNA was directed to recover funds in cases of overpayments.                                                                                                                                                         |
|        5 | Alleged misappropriation of funds by Archaeological Survey of India officials.                                                                    | A charge sheet has been filed by the Economic Offence Wing, Delhi Police in the designated Court against two officials of Archaeological Survey of India for misappropriation of funds to the tune of Rs. 9.63 crores. Both the officials are under suspension w.e.f. 30.01.2019. |