Cag

G20 presidency: CAG team reviews preparations for SAI20 meet in Goa

A six member team from the Comptroller Auditor General of India (CAG) visited Goa to review preparations for the upcoming Supreme Audit Institutions (SAI20) meet scheduled to held in mid-June as part of India's G20 presidency, an official said on Friday. The meet of the Supreme Audit Institutions or SAI20, a group of audit organizations from G20 countries that promotes good governance, transparency and accountability, will be held in the coastal state between June 12 and 14, the official said. "As part of India's presidency of the G20, Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG) Girish Chandra Murmu will chair the SAI20 for the year 2023. This gives India an opportunity to play a leadership role in promoting good governance and accountability in the public sector," he said. "India will hold the second meeting of the two scheduled SAI20 meetings as part of the G20 summit in Goa from June 12 to 14, 2023. The first meeting for senior officials of SAI20 member nations and the World .

90% urban people in Himachal don't have adequate water supply: CAG

The requirement of water in the state was projected to increase to 726.46 million litres per day (MLD) -- 575.97 MLD in rural areas and 150.49 MLD in urban areas -- in 2021

Assam government's 2021-22 budget unrealistic, overestimated, says CAG

The Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) of India on Thursday termed the Assam government's budget for 2021-22 as unrealistic and overestimated, and asked it to formulate expenses based on reliable assumptions. The CAG also pointed to the increasing growth rate of the state's public debt and recommended that it reduces revenue expenditure. In the State Finances Audit Report for the year ended March 31, 2022' tabled in the state assembly, the CAG said the actual receipts for the year were Rs 99,548.83 crore against the estimation of Rs 1,19,423.05 crore by the state government. This restricted the expenditure to Rs 1,07,814.62 crore against estimated spending of Rs 1,36,554.69 crore. Dubbing the budgetary assumptions as unrealistic and overestimated, the auditor said the state government should formulate a realistic budget based on reliable assumptions of likely resource mobilisation, the needs of the departments and their capacity to utilise the allocated resources so as to avoid

At least three 'completed' textile parks closed, finds CAG report

Auditor says large number of cancellations defeated the purpose of the scheme

CAG red flags incomplete work on 397 projects worth Rs 1,518 crore in J&K

Nearly 400 public welfare projects in Jammu and Kashmir remained incomplete despite incurring an expenditure of over Rs 1,000 crore over the past decade till the end of financial year 2021-22, the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) has said. As many as 378 of these projects were taken up by different government departments between 2019 and 2022, the CAG said in its latest audit report on the Union Territory Finances for the year ended March 31, 2022. "397 capital works having original estimated cost of Rs 1,518.66 crore, taken up by four departments (viz Irrigation and Flood Control Department, Jammu (61 works) and Jal Shakti (PHE) Department Kashmir (216 work), Jal Shakti (PHE) Department Jammu (119 ) and Mechanical Engineering Department Kashmir (one) targeted to be completed during the period 2012-13 to 2014-15 and 2017-18 to 2021-22 were incomplete at the end of the year 2021-22, the CAG said. It said the cumulative expenditure of Rs 1,095.52 crore incurred on these incomplet

Tax revenue marks over 31% increase during 2021-22 in J&K, says CAG

The tax revenue in Jammu and Kashmir touched Rs 11,707.28 crore in 2021-22 compared to Rs 8,876.99 crore in the previous year, marking an increase of 31.88 per cent, according to the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG). State Excise, State Goods and Services Tax (SGST) and Taxes on sales and trade showed the maximum increase of 32.31 per cent, 32.13 per cent and 27.46 per cent, respectively, the CAG said in its audit report on the Union Territory Finances for the year ended 31 March 2022. The government's performance in the mobilisation of resources is assessed in terms of its own tax resources comprising revenue from its own tax and non-tax sources. The report said there was an increase in all components of own tax revenue during 2021-22 which marked an increase of 31.88 per cent compared to the previous year. "SGST, State Excise and Taxes on Sales/Trade showed maximum increase of Rs 1,554.95 crore, Rs 435.37 crore and Rs 410.70 cores respectively. The highest percentage increas

CAG red flags slow development of hydro power projects in Jammu and Kashmir

The Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) said out of 374 identified project sites with power generation capacity of 1,725.53 MegaWatts, only 10 projects with 79.75 MW capacity had been commissioned with time overrun ranging between four months and seven years. The hydro power potential of Jammu and Kashmir has been estimated at 20,000 MW which includes 1,500 MW in respect of small hydro projects. As of October 2021, only 2,813.46 MW (16 per cent) of this potential had been harnessed, which included 79.75 MW of small hydro projects. "The main objective of hydro policy for small hydro project/mini hydro projects for expeditious development of available hydro power of Jammu and Kashmir was not achieved. Out of 374 identified project sites with power generation capacity of 1,725.53 MWs, only 10 projects with capacity of 79.75 MWs (five per cent) had been commissioned with time overrun ranging between four months and over seven years," the CAG said in its report tabled in the parliament

CAG points out several flaws in Gujarat govt's financial management

The Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG) has pointed out several flaws in the financial practices of the Gujarat government and said there was a need to formulate a realistic budget based on the needs of the departments. The "State Finance Audit Report of the CAG for the year ended March 31, 2022" was tabled on the floor of the Gujarat Assembly on Wednesday, the last day of the month-long budget session. Pointing out that financial accounts of 2021-22 were "affected" as capital expenditure was overstated and revenue expenditure understated, the CAG said, "The state government needs to formulate a realistic budget based on the needs of the departments and their capacity to utilise the allocated resources." "An appropriate control mechanism may be instituted by the government to enforce proper implementation and monitoring of budget so that large savings within the grant or appropriation are controlled, and anticipated savings are identified and surrendered within the ...

CAG pulls up J&K Bank for not utilising land acquired during 2016-21

The Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) has pulled up J&K Bank Limited for not utilising the land worth over Rs 140 crore acquired during 2016-21 and recommended a proactive plan for its effective utilisation. It also said the bank's improper planning resulted into blockage of funds to the tune of Rs 22.78 crore and wasteful expenditure in hiring of premises for its units. In its report on compliance audit for the year ended March 31, 2021, the CAG said the bank purchased lands valuing Rs 184.92 crore during 2016-21, out of which the land valuing Rs 140.22 crore could not be utilised. The CAG said the compliance audit on management of fixed assets by the bank covering the period from 2016-17 to 2020-21 was carried out to examine issues relating to acquisition of land, construction, upgradation, modification related to civil and interior works, furniture, electrical works and hiring of the premises. "As on 01 April 2016, the gross block of the fixed assets (land & building, ..

CAG raises concerns over 330,000 wagons being operated without NCO approval

More than 3.30 lakh repaired wagons were operated without NCO approval and this has compromised safety, according to a new report by the Comptroller and Auditor General of India. Neutral Control Office in workshops/yards are meant for independent examination of repaired wagons or those that go undergo periodic overhauls before their actual handing over to open line for operations. An NCO approval is vital as wagons repaired in workshops are subjected for a check by the Neutral Train Examiner (NTXR). Only those certified fit can be inducted into service. Those found defective by NTXR are detained for further attention. "More than 3.30 lakh wagons constituting 41 per cent of total were passed locally (without NCO approval) after being repaired at workshops/terminal yards, compromising safety," the CAG report said. It also said that an analysis of the FOIS (Freight Operations Information System) data for 2016-17 to 2020-21 revealed that the halt time was close to half of the total tra

Ensure adequate competition and minimise vendor lock-in, says CAG report

CAG report said that in future, the department must ensure adequate competition and minimise vendor lock-in by ensuring that more bidders participate in the bidding for tendering for the next contract

Small arms factories witnessed very less demand from armed forces: CAG

Small arms factories witnessed "either no demand or very less demand" from the armed forces during the 2015-16 to 2019-20 period, the Comptroller and Auditor General of India has observed. Performance Audit Report No. 5 of the Comptroller and Auditor General of India on Production of Small Arms in Ordnance Factories was presented in Parliament on Monday. Eight weapon manufacturing factories, which were under the Weapon, Vehicles and Equipment (WV&E) group of the erstwhile Ordnance Factory Board (OFB), have been grouped, post corporatisation of OFB, under one DPSU - M/s Advanced Weapons and Equipment India Limited (M/s AWEIL), headquartered at Kanpur, it said in a statement. Three weapon manufacturing factories viz. Rifle Factory Ishapore (RFI), Small Arms Factory Kanpur (SAF) and Ordnance Factory Trichy (OFT) manufacture small arms (rifles, machine guns, carbines, pistols, anti-riot/tear gas/pump action gun, etc.) for the armed forces, paramilitary forces (MHA) and the states/UTs,

Deficiencies noticed in recapitalisation of public sector banks: CAG report

As the conduct of the event within the monuments or its precincts is likely to cause damage to the built infrastructure and its environs, the ASI would levy charges for usage

CAG report flags non-sharing of Covid expenditure records in Maharashtra

A report prepared by the Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG) on the functioning of Mumbai's civic body has highlighted the lack of transparency and planning as well as careless use of funds and flagged non-sharing of COVID-19 management expenditure records. The CAG report, which was tabled in the Maharashtra Assembly on Saturday by Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, scrutinized expenditure of Rs 12,023.88 crore made by nine departments of the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation between November 28, 2019 and October 31, 2022. Several works were awarded without tendering or choosing proper contractors, including one case of an influent pumping station in which, the report said, malafide intentions cannot be ruled out. The CAG report also stated that records relating to the expenditure for the management of COVID-19 pandemic were not produced despite repeated requests to the civic body by the Office of the Accountant General (Audit)-I, Maharashtra. The non-production o

CAG to chair G20 SAI on March 13-15 in Guwahati, 'Responsible AI' in focus

The Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) of India is the Chair of the Supreme Audit Institutions-20 (SAI20) Engagement Group under India's G20 Presidency

CAG report on allegations of discrepancies in accreditation not final yet

CAG report on allegations of discrepancies in accreditation not final yet: NAAC

Blue economy occupies vital position in India's economic growth: CAG

The blue economy occupies a vital position in India's economic growth and it could well be the next multiplier of GDP and well-being, provided sustainability and socio-economic welfare are kept at the centre stage, said CAG G C Murmu on Monday. India has a 7,517 km long coastline that is home to nine coastal states and 1,382 islands. The coastal economy sustains over 4 million fishermen and other coastal communities. There are nearly 199 ports, including 12 major ports that handle approximately 1,400 million tons of cargo each year, Comptroller & Auditor General of India (CAG) said at a seminar on the challenges and opportunities in the Blue Economy. Moreover, he said, India's Exclusive Economic Zone of over 2 million square kilometres has a bounty of living and non-living resources with significant recoverable resources such as crude oil and natural gas. "With these vast maritime interests, the blue economy occupies a vital potential position in India's economic growth. It could .

CAG selected as external auditor of International Labour Organisation

Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG) has been selected as external auditor of the International Labour Organization (ILO), Geneva for a four-year term from 2024 to 2027, the apex auditor said in a statement on Thursday. Girish Chandra Murmu is the CAG. CAG will take over from the incumbent external auditor of ILO, Supreme Audit Institution of Philippines. "CAG's appointment is a recognition of its standing among the international community as well as its professionalism, high standards, global audit experience and strong national credentials," it said. Giving details, the CAG said ILO had formed a selection panel for appointment of external auditor and invited bids from the Supreme Audit Institutions (SAIs). Based on the technical experience and other criteria, the ILO shortlisted three Supreme Audit Institutions (India, Canada and United Kingdom) for technical presentations. In Geneva, a three-member team from CAG of India presented the strengths, approach and skill se

Mizoram made wasteful expenditure of over Rs 15 cr in ropeway project: CAG

The Mizoram government has incurred "wasteful expenditure" of over Rs 15 crore in the installation of the rope way cable car project from Dartlang to Chaltlang here, the Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG) has said. The CAG report said that the union tourism ministry observed that the work components consultant did not did not submit a feasibility report or mention in its DPR that the project would go through three power transmission lines. The Rs 99.07 Aizawl-Lengpui-Hmuifang under the Eco circuit theme of Swadeshi Darshan scheme ropeway project by the union tourism ministry was started in March 2017 was to be completed in 30 months. The Dartlang-Chaltlang project was a part of it. The Union Tourism Ministry had, however, observed in December 2019 that the work component of the ropeway was undertaken without obtaining the necessary approvals and without assessing the feasibility of the project, the CAG report said. Moreover, the meeting between the tourism department an

Need to probe into avoidable expenses by health dept: CAG to Mizoram govt

The Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG) has observed that there is a need to investigate into avoidable expenditure of Rs 5.3 crore incurred by the Mizoram health and family welfare department. The CAG report tabled in the assembly by Chief Minister Zoramthanga on Thursday said that the Directorate of Hospital and Medical Education (DHME) had entered into a memorandum of understanding with Intergen Energy Limited (IGEL) in 2012 for the installation of renewable energy and water treatment plants at nine hospitals based on suo-motu proposals submitted by the Delhi-based firm. According to records of the DHME, water treatment plants were installed by the firm in five hospitals at a total cost of Rs 50 lakh and payments were made to the entity between March 2012 and February 2014, the report said. The private entity provided water to four hospitals for a short duration, ranging from four months to two years, and failed to supply water to a hospital even though the MoU stated