3 weeks ago
CAG report tabled in Delhi Assembly flags lapses, wasteful expenses
In India, there is a special team called the CAG whose job is to check whether the government is spending people's money carefully.
They looked at how the Delhi government used money between 2019 and 2023.
The team found some problems, like taxes that were not collected properly, which cost about Rs 220 crore.
They also found money spent on things that did not work out, like buying land for a jewelry park that was never built.
A government company spent Rs 29.45 crore on that land many years ago, but nothing happened with it.
The team also noticed that the government lost Rs 5.50 crore because it was slow to invest workers' savings.
Money was also wasted on an exam for junior engineers that cost Rs 1.05 crore.
The report says the power bill discount did not really help the people who needed it most.
The leaders in the Delhi Assembly received this report, and now they can talk about how to fix these problems.
The report helps make sure the government uses money the right way.
The CAG report, tabled in the Delhi Assembly by Chief Minister Rekha Gupta on Friday, flagged revenue-related irregularities, systemic lapses and wasteful expenses by Delhi government departments between 2019-2023.
Test checks during 2023-24 found non/short levy of taxes and fees involving Rs 220.59 crore in 145 cases across 22 units covering GST, VAT, stamp duty, motor vehicles tax and state excise.
DSIIDC made an unfruitful expenditure of Rs 29.45 crore acquiring in 2006 the 99-year leasehold rights over 137.63 acres at Baprola for a Jewelry Park and Fashion Design Hub, with 18 years of indecision over 59 per cent of the land.
The DTC EPF Trust failed to timely invest surplus provident fund contributions from April 2020 to March 2023, resulting in a potential interest loss of Rs 5.50 crore.
The audit noted wasteful expenditure of Rs 1.05 crore on a junior engineer examination, said the power subsidy policy did not target the deserving and disadvantaged, and found that departments gave no reply to the audit findings.
- Who
- Comptroller and Auditor General of India prepared the report; Chief Minister Rekha Gupta tabled it in the Delhi Assembly; various Delhi government departments are the subject of the findings.
- What
- A CAG audit report flagging revenue-related irregularities, systemic lapses, and wasteful or unfruitful expenditures by Delhi government departments between 2019-2023.
- Where
- Delhi Assembly, New Delhi.
- When
- Tabled on Friday (reported August 7); the audit test checks were conducted during 2023-24 and covered the period 2019-2023.
- Why
- The audit found non/short levy of taxes and fees, unfruitful spending such as the Baprola land acquisition, and interest losses from delayed investment of surplus funds.
Key facts
- Total revenue receipts (2022-23)
- Rs 62,703 crore (vs Rs 43,112.60 crore in 2018-19)
- Tax revenue (2022-23)
- Rs 47,363 crore (75.53%)
- Non-tax revenue (2022-23)
- Rs 581 crore (0.93%)
- Grants-in-Aid from Government of India (2022-23)
- Rs 14,759 crore (23.54%)
- Tax/fee irregularities found
- Rs 220.59 crore in 145 cases across 22 units (2023-24)
- Unfruitful expenditure (DSIIDC Baprola land)
- Rs 29.45 crore for 137.63 acres leased in 2006
- Potential interest loss (DTC EPF Trust)
- Rs 5.50 crore (April 2020 - March 2023)
- Wasteful expenditure (junior engineer exam)
- Rs 1.05 crore
Quotes
Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) report
Official audit report
“"ineligible taxpayers continuing under composition levy scheme"”
theprint.in
“"unfruitful expenditure"”
theprint.in
Sources
Related news
CAG Report Details Rs 3,500 Crore Irregularities Under Kejriwal Government
CAG report reveals underutilised funds, falling capital spending in Delhi
Delhi CM Rekha Gupta presents CAG report exposing AAP lapses
CAG Flags Over Rs 1,200 Crore Bengal Transport Losses
Delhi CM Rekha Gupta slams AAP over CAG report findings
Audit flags Rs 42 crore subsidy to dormant Delhi consumers
Delhi Cabinet Approves Bill to Simplify Business Approvals
Delhi GST Department Seizes Imported Cigarettes Worth Rs 65 Lakh
NESt Fest to spotlight Northeast culture and youth talent
Delhi Approves Free Rooftop Solar Panels for 2.3 Lakh Homes
Delhi Revises Solar Policy With Free Rooftop Systems
