CAG report 2024 on Punjab govt: CAG report reveals 5 Punjab government departments can't account for Rs 3,674 crore

PTC News Desk: The Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) has released a report raising serious concerns over the Punjab government's failure to provide an account of Rs 3,674 crore in funds. These funds, provided by the Central Government, have gone unaccounted for, with the Center awaiting details for a long period. The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP)-led Punjab government is now under scrutiny following the CAG’s findings.

Alleged Misuse of Funds

The CAG's report suggests that there may have been misuse of funds, which were allocated to Punjab by the central government. The report states that five key departments in the state have not provided any explanation or documentation showing where the funds have been utilised or why there has been such a delay in submitting financial accounts.

Key Departments Under Scrutiny

The five departments at the center of this issue are some of the most crucial in the state’s administrative structure. The CAG report identifies each of these departments for their failure to submit the required utilisation certificates.

• Panchayat Department: This department tops the list, with Rs 1,908 crore unaccounted for. These funds were allocated to support various central schemes, but no records or details have been provided on how the money was spent.
  
  
• School Education Board: The department has not accounted for Rs 673 crore. This amount was released for educational initiatives, yet no official documentation has been provided to explain the expenditures.
  
  
• Local Government Department: Another Rs 272 crore remains unexplained. The department has yet to submit details on how these funds, intended for local development projects, were utilised.
  
  
• Agriculture Department: The report points out that Rs 228 crore allocated to the Agriculture Department is also missing from official records. No utilisation certificates have been provided, raising concerns about whether the funds were properly used.
  
  
• Housing and Urban Development Department: The CAG notes that Rs 141 crore released to this department is also unaccounted for, with no details on where the funds were directed.

Central Government Awaits Clarification

The central government has been waiting for a proper financial account of these funds, which were allocated to support various developmental and welfare projects across Punjab. However, the lack of transparency and accountability from these departments has prompted serious concerns from the CAG. The failure to provide utilisation certificates raises suspicions about the potential misuse or mismanagement of these funds.

The CAG's revelations have placed the Punjab government in a difficult position, with key questions being raised about the management of central funds. The absence of financial documentation from five critical departments has not only drawn the attention of the central government but also raised concerns among the public about the effectiveness and transparency of the state’s governance.

The Punjab government is expected to respond to the CAG report, but until then, the unaccounted Rs 3,674 crore remains a significant issue.

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- With inputs from agencies

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