CAG report raps Autonomous District Councils for failing to explain poor spending
The Autonomous District Councils (ADCs) could put to use only 53 per cent (i.e. ₹302.13 crores) of the ₹567.71 crores sanctioned by the Centre for implementation of various development schemes.
According to the Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG) in its state finances audit report, the Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council, Jaiñtia Hills Autonomous District Council, and Garo Hills Autonomous District Council received both state and central grants during the period of 2015–16 to 2019–20.
The report also stated that the non-submission of the Utilization Certificates (UCs) means that the authorities failed to explain the manner in which the allotted funds were spent over the given years, or if they were spent at all. It also recommended the need to advise the ADCs to submit the pending UCs.
The CAG has suggested the State Government to advise the ADCs to finalise the arrear accounts and submit them to the Accountant General.
The annual accounts of the ADCs were in arrears for two to four years.
“Persistent delay in finalization of accounts is fraught with the risk of fraud and leakage of public money going undetected”, it cautioned.
As per the Fund Rules of ADCs of the Jaiñtia and Garo Hills, the Annual Accounts were to be submitted to the Accountant General (Audit) by June 30 of each year, whereas no prescribed date was mentioned in the Fund Rules of the Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council.
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