14th, August, 2022

 

Topic: CAG Report of State

 

Importance: Himachal HPAS Prelims and Mains

 

What is the news?

• The total liabilities and debts of the state for 2020-21 have mounted to Rs 67,888.30 crore as compared to Rs 61,492.19 crore, indicating an increase of 10.40 per cent.

Financial position in 2020-21:

• Growth rate – 3.87 per cent
• Fiscal deficit 3.64 per cent
• Debt/liabilities Rs 67,888.3 Cr
• The ratio of fiscal liabilities to GSDP 42.91 PC

 

Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) on the financial position of the state in 2020-21:

• Report tabled in the Vidhan Sabha today by Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur, who also holds the Finance portfolio.
  The ratio of fiscal liabilities to the GSDP in 2020-21 was 42.91 percent, exceeding the 36 per cent target set by the 15th Finance Commission.
• During 2020-21, fiscal deficit of Rs 5,700 crore increased by Rs 103 crore over the previous year (Rs 5,597 crore). As such, the fiscal deficit was 3.64 per cent of the GSDP, which exceeded the targets set in the HP-FRBM Act. There was a revenue deficit of Rs 97 crore against the previous year’s revenue surplus of Rs 12 crore.

 

What does the report indicate?

• The report indicates that the growth rate of GSDP during 2020-21 was minus 3.87 per cent, mainly due to a decline in growth in the primary and secondary sectors. The report also mentions that Rs 3,557.83 crore spent by the state government fall in the high risk of misutilisation as 2,800 utilization certificates (UCs) had not been submitted so far.
• During 2020-21, only 31 per cent of the revenue receipts came from the state’s own resources while the remaining 69 percent the state’s share in Central taxes and duties (14 per cent) and grants-in-aid from the Centre (55 per cent). This is indicative of the fact that the fiscal position of the state is dependent mostly on Central funding.
• Of the 29 public sector undertakings, 11 earned a profit of Rs 28.18 crore losses on the HP Electricity Board stood at the highest Rs 185.32 crore, followed by the state transport department Rs 146.43 crore and Rs 105.98 crore by the HP Power Corporation.
• There are 13 PSUs with total losses of Rs 4,074.85 crore, resulting in net worth of nine PSUs been completely eroded.

 

About Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG):

Article 148 – Comptroller and Auditor-General of India

• There shall be a Comptroller and Auditor-General of India who shall be appointed by the President by warrant under his hand and seal and shall only be removed from office in like manner and on like grounds as a Judge of the Supreme Court.
• India’s Constitution (Article 148) provides for an independent office of the Comptroller General of India (CAG).
• He is the head of the Indian Audit and Accounts Department and is one of the ramparts of the democratic system of governance in India.
• It is the custodian of the public purse and controls the entire financial system of the country at both central and state levels.
• He has a duty to uphold the Indian Constitution and the laws of Parliament in the area of financial administration.
  Constitutional Provisions for Office of CAG.

Articles related to CAG:

Article 148 broadly deals with the CAG appointment, oath and conditions of service.
Article 149 deals with Duties and Powers of the Comptroller and Auditor-General of India.
Article 150 says that the accounts of the Union and of the States shall be kept in such form as the President may, on the advice of the CAG, prescribe.
Article 151 says that the reports of the Comptroller and Auditor-General of India relating to the accounts of the Union shall be submitted to the president, who shall cause them to be laid before each House of Parliament.
Article 279: Calculation of “net proceeds” is ascertained and certified by the Comptroller and Auditor-General of India, whose certificate is final Appointment, Term & Removal

• The CAG is appointed by the President of India by a warrant under his hand and seal.
• The CAG holds office for a period of six years or up to the age of 65 years, whichever is earlier.
• He can resign any time from his office by addressing the resignation letter to the president.
• He can also be removed by the president on the same grounds and in the same manner as a judge of the Supreme Court.
• In other words, he can be removed by the president on the basis of a resolution passed to that effect by both The Houses of Parliament with special majority, either on the ground of proved misbehavior or incapacity.

 

How does the CAG Office operate in an independent manner?

• A number of constitutional provisions protect the independence of the CAG.
• CAG is appointed by the President by warrant under his hand and seal and provided with tenure of 6 years or 65 years of age, whichever is earlier.
• CAG can be removed by the President only in accordance with the procedure mentioned in the Constitution that is the manner same as removal of a Supreme Court Judge.
• He is ineligible to hold any office, either under the Government of India or of any state, once he retires/resigns as a CAG.
• CAG is one of the bulwarks of the democratic system of government in India. The others being the Supreme Court, the Election Commission and the UPSC.
• No minister can represent the CAG in Parliament.
• His salary and other conditions of service shall not be changed to his disadvantage after his appointment.
• Its administrative powers and the conditions of service of the members of the Indian Audit and Accounts Department shall be prescribed by the President only after consultation with him.

• The administrative expenses of the CAG Office, including all salaries, allowances and pensions are charged to the Consolidated Fund of India which is not subject to voting.

(News Source: The Tribune)

 

 

Topic: Eco-friendly Donna-pattals(eco-friendly plates)

 

Importance: Himachal HPAS Prelims and Mains

 

What is the news?

• Himachal Pradesh: Himachal: Launch of Tor Pattal (eco-friendly plates) in Bhardu, Jogindernagar, women will strengthen the economy
• Rotary Club’s eco-friendly donna-pattals have started providing employment to women. Dona-Pattal, which is being prepared with modern technology, is also no less than a boon for environmental protection.
• Eco-friendly dona-pattals are being prepared from tor addresses in rotary’s small scale industry in Bharadu panchayat near the city. Supporting papers are being used from Gujarat and Ahmedabad.

How these are made?

• These donna-pattals prepared from modern machinery do not spoil for a long time. After the experiment, the leaves will be used to make organic manure. This will also prevent the environment from being polluted. After the ban on single-use plastic in the state, the demand for donna-pattals has increased. Every day, more than 800 dona-pattal rotary small scale industries are producing women.
• Rotary Club president Ramlal Walia said that eco-friendly donna-pattals are being prepared. Rotary Club will develop such small scale industries in rural areas to provide employment to many families sitting at home. Rotarian NR Barwal, Ajay said that Rs 1.5 per donna and Rs 3 quarter (small) plate and full plate of Rs 6 will be available from rotary’s small scale industry.

 

How it will support environment?

• Launching the eco-friendly Dona-Pattal in Bharadu on Sunday, Chairman Ramlal Walia said that earlier the plate and donna made of plastic were not destroyed after use, causing damage to the environment.
• After the ban on single-use plastic in the state, rotary club has also given a message of environmental protection by launching eco-friendly dona-pattal from tor leaves in the market.

(Source: Amar Ujala)

 

 

Topic: Three Zero Campaign in Himachal

 

Importance: Himachal HPAS Prelims and Mains

 

What is the news?

• Himachal Pradesh aims to eradicate AIDS by 2030.
• The Himachal Pradesh government is committed to work to eradicate AIDS from the state as a public health hazard by the year 2030 as per the target set by the Central government.
• Informing about this, a state government official said the government had launched a decisive campaign against AIDS with the goal of three zero which includes zero infection, zero death and zero discrimination.

Purpose:

“To achieve the goal of making Himachal AIDS free, the state government’s landmark steps like test and treat and Mission Sampark proved very successful.

 

Steps taken:

• HIV testing is an important part of the program and the first step is to identify HIV positive people and link them to Anti Retro Viral therapy,” he said, adding to fulfill this objective, about three lakh HIV tests were being done every year in the state.
• He said apart from 45 Integrated Testing and Counselling Centers (ICTCs) in the state, HIV testing facility was also being provided through two mobile ICTCs.
• To provide testing facilities to the residents at their doorsteps, efforts are being made to provide testing facilities up to Health Sub-Center level.
• The Prevention of Parent To Child Transmission (PPTCT) program is being implemented by the state government for eliminating HIV infection in Children, he said. He further stated that under the program, pregnant women are being tested for HIV and case women are detected HIV positive, then procedure is adopted for the prevention of HIV transmission to her new born child. Every year about one lakh pregnant women are being tested for HIV in the state.
• The government has set up three Anti-Retroviral Therapy (ART) and the three Facility Integrated Anti-Retroviral Therapy (FI-ART) centers in the state to provide ART to People Living with HIV (PLHIV) and 4,646 PLHIV are being treated with Anti Retroviral Therapy in the state.
• The state government is also sensitive towards People Living with HIV and their dependents and has started a financial support scheme of Rs 1500 per month for PLHIVs in the year 2019.
• Under the scheme, Himachali’s taking ART in the state is being given the benefit of this scheme,” he added.
• The official said in addition, a nutritional support scheme was being implemented for children living with HIV since 2018. Under the scheme, 100 grams of oat or multi-grain biscuits were being provided to these children every day.
• Since the year 2019, the state government had made provision of Rs 20 lakh annually for treatment and medicine for Persons Living with HIV has other diseases.

 

Support for HIV Patients by Government:

• In addition to these schemes, financial assistance to orphans and children of AIDS victims’ upto 18 years of age was being provided for education and other living requirements.
• “The government has launched vigorous awareness campaigns through radio, TV, newspapers, hoardings, folk media and other media, including awareness activities during fairs and festivals for prevention of HIV/AIDS.
• Special awareness campaigns are also being conducted on the occasion of International and National Youth Days, World AIDS Day and International Women Day,” he added.
• He added Himachal had fewer cases of HIV as compared to other states yet the state government has shown its determination to overcome HIV by HIV screening, Anti Retroviral Therapy, social protection schemes and awareness campaigns.
• With the efforts of the government and the masses in general, eradication of AIDS is expected by the year 2030, and thus the goal of AIDS-free healthy Himachal would be achieved, he added.

(Source:thestatesman)