Daijiworld Media Network - Panaji

Panaji, Aug 24: The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) has warned the Goa government that funds for development of State roads under the Central Road and Infrastructure Fund (CRIF) may not be released if the State fails to submit mandatory work completion reports, audit certificates and other documents required under the scheme.

In a communication dated August 19, the Ministry highlighted lapses by several States and Union Territories, including Goa, in furnishing the required documentation. It directed the State government to ensure strict compliance with the existing CRIF criteria and guidelines, warning that failure to do so could result in the withholding of funds.

Under the CRIF framework, States and Union Territories are required to submit work completion reports or certificates, duly verified through audit, within three months of completion of projects. However, MoRTH noted that the required documents were not being submitted to the Ministry, resulting in inadequate compliance with statutory audit requirements.

The Ministry has now directed that while submitting the first Utilisation Certificate (UC) of a financial year, the State must attach a detailed list of completed works, details of Network Survey Vehicle (NSV) survey reports for the completed projects and the audit report covering works sanctioned under CRIF.

MoRTH also pointed out deficiencies in proposals submitted by States seeking approval for new road projects. It said such proposals often failed to include certificates confirming the availability of the entire required unencumbered land for the projects.

The State is also required to furnish a certificate assuring that the government will undertake proper Maintenance and Repair (M&R) of roads developed under the scheme after their completion.

Another issue flagged by the Ministry was non-compliance with the mandatory use of Network Survey Vehicles to record road inventory and assess road conditions.

MoRTH said the observations were also based on audit findings and called upon Goa to ensure strict adherence to the existing CRIF criteria and guidelines.

The Ministry made it clear that failure to comply with the requirements could lead to funds not being released for road development works under the scheme.