IMPHAL, October 18: Consequent upon the IFP report of missing wages of Anganwadi workers and helpers since January 2012 and that of ICDS staff since March 2012, the Social Welfare department has clarified that there is no missing of funds.
According to a circular issued by the department, a proposal of Rs 2602.80 lakhs for payment of honorarium for four months upto April 2012 and staff salaries for three months upto June 2012 was made to the state Finance Department on 20 September 2012.
The circular also mentions that the second instalment of ICDS grant-in-aid was sanctioned by the Ministry of Women & Child Development on 4 September 2012 and that the total grant-in-aid for the financial year 2012-13 was Rs 50 crores 48 lakhs.
In actuality, the first instalment of 2012-13 Rs 1896.90 lakhs sanctioned by the ministry on 8 May 2012 was for paying the honorarium and salaries for the months of April, May and June 2012. Yet, honorarium upto December 2011 for Anganwadi Workers and Helpers and staff salary for ICDS staff upto March 2012 was paid from the money sanctioned in the first instalment.
And from the total sanctioned amount of Rs 2602.80 lakhs in the second instalment meant for the months of July, August and September 2012 the department is proposing to pay honorarium upto April 2012 and salary upto June 2012.
The departmental circular also states that the monthly average expenditure on salaries and honorarium is Rs 612.75 lakhs.
However, the circular does not explain the missing honorarium from May 2012 and staff salary from July 2012.
And the Social Welfare department is yet to explain the backlog honorarium for five months and staff salaries for three months and the causes leading to the backlog.