BHUBANESWAR: The Accountant General (AG) has detected serious lapses in implementation of Computer Aided Learning (CAL) programme by Odisha Primary Education Programme Authority (OPEPA).

Besides faulty tendering process and inordinate delay in executing the programme leading to computers lying unused, the draft report of AG found that OPEPA wasted funds and overlooked the instructions of the Chief Secretary.
Launched in 2004-05, the CAL, a component of Sarva Siksha Abhiyan, covered 3045 Upper Primary (UP) schools within May 2012. The programme was later extended to 1042 more UP schools in 2012-13 at an estimated cost of Rs 25.62 crore.

Even after the extension, most of the schools were not covered by the project. Each school covered under CAL is provided a workstation, which is connected with three nodal computers, a UPS and a printer.

The audit found that the supplier is yet to supply Ncomputing device to 840 schools. The device is necessary to connect the workstation with nodal computers for the systems to work.

The report also stated that the first expression of interest (EoI) for CAL expansion was floated by OPEPA in September, 2012. In the tender process, the OPEPA allegedly flouted the standard norms by ignoring the State Level Procurement Committee (SLPC) which is responsible for monitoring Government purchase beyond Rs 2 crore.

Similarly, without evaluating the respondents of the tender, OPEPA awarded it to a private firm, Stalco Private Limited, in October, 2012 ignoring a direction from Chief Secretary and OPEPA executive committee chairman to cancel the tender and undertake a fresh and decentralised purchase with rates approved by Directorate General of Supplies and Disposals (DGS&D).

The report also highlighted misappropriation of Government funds as prices of hardware were inflated. During the audit, the AG found that OPEPA purchased four 4GB RAMs for an unreasonably high price of Rs 52,000 against the DGS&D approved rate of Rs 3,800. The hardware was procured at an excess expenditure of Rs 2.44 crore.

Though the supplier did not meet the criteria of the agreement, 95 per cent of payment amounting to Rs 14.40 crore was made by OPEPA.

Interestingly, warranty on all hardware is valid for three years and will expire in 2015 after which the supplier can not be held liable, the report stated.

Source : IndianExpress