CAG exposes INR 243.98 crore misappropriation by departments

Our Correspondent

Kohima, Sep. 23 (EMN): The Comptroller and Auditor General of India has detected 29 cases of misappropriation, losses and thefts involving government money of INR 243.98 crore in at least 12 state government departments.

The state finances audit report of the CAG for the year ended March 31, 2021, stated, a copy of which was tabled by the chief minister at the 13th Nagaland Legislative Assembly that concluded on September 22. 

Among the departments, CAG revealed that School Education topped with two cases amounting to INR 82.80 crore. This was followed by PWD (R&B and Mechanical) with five cases of misappropriation, losses, and theft of government materials amounting to INR 42.32 crore.

Various departments with five cases had cost up to INR 40.03 crore, while the Power department amounted to INR 25.48 crore misappropriation, losses, and theft of government materials for one case. Planning and Coordination involved INR 20.23 crore with one case, while the Health and Family Welfare amounted to INR 13.70 crore for four cases. PHED cost INR 5.06 (2 cases), Tourism (1 case) – INR 5 crore, Municipal Affairs (2 cases) – INR 4.11 crore, Rural department (4 cases) -INR 3.21 crore, Land Records and Survey (1 case) – INR 1.24 crore, and Taxes with INR 0.80 crore for a case.

The CAG further stated the final action is pending. Out of 29, five cases involving INR 18.94 crore were reportedly pending in the court of law.

As per the information furnished by the Nagaland Lokayukta, Directorate of Investigation, Nagaland, there are four cases of loss to the government due to theft, misappropriations, and loss of government materials involving INR 160 crore out of which an amount of INR 4.35 crore has been recovered.