Tamilarasu Press, Taramani, Chennai-113 for the Period from December 2011 to May 2017
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INSPECTION REPORT ON THE ACCOUNTS OF THE DEPUTY DIRECTOR (PUBLICATIONS), TAMILARASU PRESS, TARAMANI, CHENNAI-113 FOR THE PERIOD FROM DECEMBER 2011 TO MAY 2017. DATES OF AUDIT: 21.06.2017 To 27.06.2017. PART I: INTRODUCTION a. Overview of the audit unit The Tamilarasu Press is a printing press and serves as a print medium of the Government, disseminating information about various schemes, welfare activities and achievements of the Government of Tamilnadu. The Tamilarasu Press engaged in Printing of Tamilarasu Magazine in Tamil and English editions and other books as required by the Government. b. Function / Geographical jurisdiction The geographical jurisdiction of the Auditee Unit extends to the length and breadth of the State of Tamil Nadu. c. Budget, Financial Performance The month wise expenditure of the auditee unit for the period from April 2011 to March 2017 is given as under: Year Salary Non-Salary Total Expenditure 2011-2012 15706585 10274772 25981357 2012-2013 15772177 9723749 25495926 2013-2014 15353649 18913406 34267055 2014-2015 18701573 25479537 44181110 2015-2016 21784416 17698792 39483208 2016-2017 24278012 11048410 35326422 d. Overall hierarchy of the Audittee Unit The Audittee Unit is headed by the Deputy Director (Publications) Tamilarasu Press, Chennai. e. Scope of audit The compliance audit covering the period from April 2014 to March 2017 and local audit for the period from December 2011 to May 2017 subject matter viz., Expenditure incurred on advertisement. f. Sampling procedure and sample selected (including implementing units) No sampling procedure adopted since the office of the Deputy Director (Publications), Tamilarasu Press is under Director of Information and Public relations. g. Subject matter and criteria The subject matter selected is Expenditure Incurred on advertisement. The sources of audit criteria are: (i) Policies and Guidelines issued by the government (ii) GOs issued by Government of Tamil Nadu. (iii) Orders, instructions on rates issued by government of Tamil Nadu (iv) Tamil Nadu Tender Transparency Act 1998 and Rules 2000 (V) Guidelines issued by the Government of Tamil Nadu and DIPR h. Conduct of Audit The compliance audit is conducted by the following officials under Section 13 of Comptroller and Auditor General’s (Duties, Powers and Conditions of Services) Act 1971 and as per the Auditing Standards issued by CAG of India and in accordance with the provisions contained in Regulations of Audit & Accounts 2007. 1. Shri. K. Haridasan, Senior Audit Officer 2. Shri. R. Poyyamozhi, Assistant audit Officer 3. Shri. R. Thirumalai, Assistant Audit Officer PART II: AUDIT FINDINGS: SECTION - A:- 1. AVOIDABLE EXPENDITURE OF Rs.72,98,550/- TOWARDS PRINTING IN PRIVATE PRESSES 2. AVOIDABLE EXPENDITURE Rs.50,24,658/- ON PRIVATE PRINTING 3. PINNING AND BINDING WORK OF TAMILARASU MAGAZINE DONE THROUGH PRIVATE AGENCIES – AVOIDABLE EXPENDITURE OF Rs.2,16,000/- (Approx) ANNUALLY. SECTION - B:- 4. CONSTRUCTION OF TAMILARASU PRESS AND BUILDING BELONGING TO THE LAND OF M.G.R GOVERNMENT FILM AND TELEVISION INSTITUTE, VELACHERY – AUDIT REMARKS 5. AVOIDABLE ANNUAL EXPENDITURTE OF Rs.6.70 LAKH ON PAYMENT TO POSTAL SORTING ASSISTANTS 6. DEVIATION FROM THE PROCEDURE - PERMISSION NOT OBTAINED FROM THE GOVERNEMNT – RATIFICATION TO BE OBTAINED. 7. NON PROVISION FOR POWER BACK UP FACILITY IN TAMIL ARASU PRESS 8. NON ENTERING INTO AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE GOVERNMENT AND THE AGENCY WHO SUPPLIED MACHINERIES 9. NON INSURANCE OF BUILDING AND MACHINERY SECTION - A 1. AVOIDABLE EXPENDITURE OF Rs.72,98,550/- TOWARDS PRINTING IN PRIVATE PRESSES. The Tamil Arasu press prints Tamil Arasu magazine, which is a media taking various government schemes, welfare measures, welfare assistance, Govt. achievements and plans to the public. The press was modernised at a cost of Rs. 4,90,00,000 (at Rs. 4 crore towards purchase of a Four Colour Offset Press, during 2015 and Rs.90 lakh towards purchase of Computer to the Plate(CTP) machine during 2014). The following publications were printed using outside agencies. Sl. Invoice No.and Particulars Amount Printing and No. Date supply done by 1. 9357 dt 5/11/15 Inspiring Speeches of Hon’ble 6,45,000 Excellent 2 CM (2011-2014) 3000 copies publicities 2. 9356 dt 5/11/15 Inspiring Speeches of Hon’ble 6,40,000 Excellent 2 CM (2013-2014) 5000 publicities copies(volume 3) 3 9355 dt 5/11/15 Inspiring Speeches of Hon’ble 6,60,000 - Do- CM (2012-2013) 5000 copies 4 97 dt 4/11/15 Inspiring Speeches of Hon’ble 6,00,000 Efficient Litho CM 4th year achievements(tamil) Press, Chennai 2 5000 copies 5. 98 dt 4/11/15 Four achievements of the 4,80,000 -do- government headed by the Hon’ble CM, TN ( 3000 copies) 6 466 dt 4/11/2015 Tamil Nadu in the Forefront 6,20,550 1st Print, Chennai 2 7. 459 dt 4/11/15 Letters from Hon’ble CM to 5,70,000 Hon’ble PM 2011-15 Hon’ble CM’s Stories during Speech 3,40,000 8 460 dt 4/11/15 Hon’ble CMs Welfare Measures 3,30,000 1st Print success stories(5000 copies) Inspiring Speeches of Hon’ble 650000 CM (2011-2012) 5000 copies(volume 1) 9. 458 dt 4/11/15 Hon’ble CM’s 4 year 7,20,000 -do- achievements in 16 districts -do- Hon’ble CMs speeches 165000 -do- 10 457/4/11/15 Hon’ble CM’s 4th year 7,38,000 -do- achievements in 16 districts -do- Awards and accolades of TN 140000 -do Government Audit scrutiny of the purchase files of the CTP machine and Four Colour Offset Press revealed that the purchases were made in 2014 and 2015. It may be stated to audit why the above books were printed in private publications and not utilising the resources of men and material available in Tamil Arasu Press. The avoidable expenditure of Rs. 72,98,550 towards printing of the Hon’ble CMs speeches/achievements through advertising agencies of private institutions is brought to notice. On this being pointed out it was stated that, due to non availability of machinery, lack of time and high-tech quality of printing the achievements issue given to private agencies as per approval of DIPR. The reply is not accepted. Para remains. 2. AVOIDABLE EXPENDITURE OF Rs.50,24,658/- ON PRIVATE PRINTING It was proposed to publish 7 special books in connection with the completion of 3 years of the then Chief Minister in office. The expenditure was proposed to be incurred under the HOA 2220-60-110-AC. In this connection, it is pointed out that only Rs.80 lakh was allocated in this HOA. The expenditure as shown in annexure was incurred in printing the special books in private presses through private advertising agencies. In this connection it is pointed out that Papers for printing these books were procured for Rs.11,51,126 and the total expenditure incurred was Rs.50,24,658. Audit scrutiny revealed that the total sanction by the Government under HOA 2220-6—110-AC was Rs.80 lakh only, and excess expenditure incurred for the above work was Rs.5024658(Printing of books plus cost incurred towards supplying paper). It may be stated to audit as to why the printing of books were made outside Tamilarasu press and the printers and human resource of the press were not utilised. It is brought to notice that had the Books were printed in Tamilarsu press, the excess expenditure could have been avoided, thereby avoidance of excess expenditure over budget sanction. In this connection it is also pointed that similar avoidable expenditure of Rs 72,98,550 /- was made during the year 2014-15. Recurrence of such avoidable expenditures may be avoided in future. In reply it was stated that, private printing was carried out after getting permission from DIPR. The reply is not tenable. Para remains. 3. PINNING AND BINDING WORK OF TAMILARASU MAGAZINE DONE THROUGH PRIVATE AGENCIES – AVOIDABLE EXPENDITURE OF Rs.2,16,000/- (Approx)ANNUALLY. It was seen from the contingent bills (CB.No.12/16-17) for the year 2016-17 and relevant records of the O/O Dy. Director(Publications), Tamilarasu Press that payment of an amount of Rs.18,900/- towards Tamilarasu March 2016 issues 36000 Nos. for Binding & Pinning work done by M/S. Nagaraj and Company Pvt. Ltd., Chennai-96. It was also noticed that while shifting from the earlier office, i.e., Tamilnadu Printing Press., the Pinning Machine which is used to pin the magazines was handed over to the Printing Press, Stationery Department. As the pinning machinery not available in the Tamilarasu press the pinning work is done through outside private agency by incurring Rs.18,000/- approximately per month. Though Government had sanctioned crores of rupees for modernisation of the Press and printing, work had been all the outsourced and monthly magazine sent to a private company for Binding & Pinning work every month is brought to notice. On this being pointed out it was replied that, action is being taken to bring back the stitching machine from stationery and printing department, Chennai-2. Further action awaited. 4. CONSTRUCTION OF TAMIL ARASU PRESS AND BUILDING BELONGING TO THE LAND OF M.G.R. GOVERNMENT FILM AND TELEVISION INSTITUTE, VELACHERY – AUDIT REMARKS Vide G.O. (Ms) No.454, Revenue (LD4) Department, dated 13.10.2014, orders were issued for transferring 664973 Square Feet (6 Hectares 17 Ares and 77.5 Sq. Meters) land, as detailed below, to Information and Public Relation Department, for the construction of office of the M.G.R. Government Film and Television Institute, in Kaanagam Village, Velachery Taluk, Chennai District. Total Extent Extent proposed T.S.