277 ongoing, incomplete projects in Nagaland, says CAG Report

KOHIMA — Nagaland has 277 ongoing or incomplete projects worth approximately INR 1,935 crore, spread across 34 departments, as of March 31, 2024, as per Appendix IX of the Finance Accounts of the State for the year 2023-24.

This was stated in the report of the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) of India on State Finances for the year 2023-24, which was tabled during the 7th assembly session of the 14th Nagaland Legislative Assembly on September 4.

Age profile of incomplete projects shows that upto 2013-14 there were 215 incomplete projects, 26 incomplete projects in 2014-15, 20 incomplete projects in 2015-16, five incomplete projects in 2016-17, nine incomplete projects in 2017-18, six incomplete projects in 2018-19, one incomplete project in 2029-20, two incomplete projects in 2020-21 and three incomplete projects in 2022-23.

The report also noted that out of the 277 projects, 29 projects have been reported as completed, and out of the 29 projects, completion certificates of 14 projects have been furnished with remaining 15 projects without completion certificates.

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Department-wise profile of incomplete projects as on March 31, 2024, shows that Veterinary & Animal husbandry has 53 incomplete projects, CAWD 30 incomplete projects, General Administration 26 incomplete projects, PWD (Housing) - 21, Police Engineering Project - 19, Higher Education - 18, Urban Development - 10, PWD (Roads & Bridges) - 8, SCERT - 8, Transport Commissioner - 7, Geology & Mining - 4, and other departments – 73.

Analysis of the 277 incomplete projects revealed that 271 incomplete projects were aged five years and more. Also works in respect of a project (estimated cost INR 6.45 crore) had been suspended after incurring an expenditure of INR 6.45 crore (100% of estimated cost).

The analysis also revealed that out of the 277 incomplete projects, there was no financial progress in 272 projects during 2023-24. Further, there was 100% financial achievement in five projects, however, 100% physical progress was not achieved.

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No expenditure was incurred upto 2023-24 in 25 projects which has an estimated cost of INR 273.25 crore. Further, the analysis disclosed that in 16 projects which were incomplete since 2010-22, there was a cost over un of INR 88.82 crore as the original costs of these projects were revised from INR 141.03 crore to INR 229.84 crore, and in a project which was incomplete since 2019-20, the original cost of INR 5.59 crore was reduced to INR 5.31 crore (a decrease of INR 0.28 crore.

Further, the CAG report noted that INR 851.16 crore in capital expenditure on 277 incomplete projects was blocked, negatively impacting expenditure quality and depriving the state of benefits and economic growth.

Project delays also posed a significant risk of cost overrun, the report added.