BAN IMPOSED ON THREE DEPARTMENT AFTER NOT GETTING THE ACCOUNT OF Rs. 70 THOUSAND CRORE IN CAG REPORT

BAN IMPOSED ON THREE DEPARTMENT AFTER NOT GETTING THE ACCOUNT OF Rs. 70 THOUSAND CRORE IN CAG REPORT

1-AUG-ENG 9

RAJIV NAYAN AGRAWAL

PATNA------------------------The Nitish government of Bihar has taken a tough stand in the matter of non-submission of accounts of Rs 70 thousand crores in the report of the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) and has taken action against three major departments.

According to the report, Panchayati Raj, Urban Development and Housing, and Education Department have not given Utilization Certificate (UC) and detailed account of expenditure of thousands of crores of rupees. Considering it a serious financial irregularity, the Finance Department has partially banned the withdrawal of new funds of these departments.

According to the CAG report, no Utilization Certificate (UC) has been submitted for an amount of ₹ 70,877.61 crore till the financial year 2023-24, while no detailed account (DC bill) has been submitted in lieu of contingency expenditure (AC bill) of ₹ 9,205.76 crore.

Taking this irregularity seriously, the government has directed the concerned departments to provide a detailed report to the Accountant General of Bihar as soon as possible.

The Finance Department has clarified that no new amount will be released from the treasury or bank accounts until the full account of the previous withdrawal is given. At present, the following departments have the highest outstanding amount.

Department Pending amount (in ₹ crores): Panchayati Raj 28,154.10, Education Department 12,623.67, Urban Development and Housing 11,065.50, Rural Development 7,800.48, Agriculture 2,107.63, SC-ST Welfare Department 1,397.43, Social Welfare Department 941.92, Backward and Extremely Backward Class Welfare 911.08, Health Department 860.33, Cooperative Department Data not received

According to the Finance Department, adjustment of the amount withdrawn on the basis of AC bills in any financial year is mandatory within 18 months. In case of not submitting the account on time, the department has to intervene.

 OpThe opposition is continuously attacking the government on this matter. Leader of Opposition Tejashwi Yadav has called it a "70 thousand crore scam" and has made serious allegations of corruption against the government. Questions are being raised on the accountability of the government by releasing posters on social media.

UC (Utilization Certificate): This is a certificate which shows that the given amount was used correctly and as per the prescribed purpose.

AC (Abstract Contingent Bill): Amount given in advance for contingency expenses.

DC (Detailed Contingent Bill): Detailed description of the actual expenditure incurred from AC bill