State transfers to PRIs fall short by ₹3,243.46 crore, CAG finds

Who it concerns: Government of Chhattisgarh, specifically the Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs) and Urban Local Bodies (ULBs).

What the auditor found

• Transfers from the State’s Own Tax Revenue (SOTR) fell short by ₹ 3,243.46 crore from the State Finance Commission recommended devolution amount during 2018-23.
• Only ₹ 398.20 crore was transferred to PRIs as assigned revenue under Minor Mineral Royalties and Stamp and Registration fee during 2018-23, with no amounts found for land revenue, cess, or excise surcharge.
• ₹ 5.18 crore in liquidated damages was not recovered from contractors for delayed and incomplete water supply infrastructure in Janjgir-Naila and Akaltara.
• ₹ 39.11 lakh in potential revenue was lost due to delays in allotting shops at the Subhash Dwar Business Complex in Rajnandgaon.
• 61 per cent (1,388 posts) of sanctioned posts in the Directorate and ZPs/JPs were vacant, and 1,278 Sachiv posts were vacant at the Gram Panchayat level.
• 22 posts of Elected Representatives (Sarpanch and Panch) remained vacant for more than 6 months in 21 test-checked Gram Panchayats as of March 2024.
• District Planning Committee (DPC) meetings mandated by law were not convened during the period 2018-23.
• None of the Gram Sabha meetings in 36 test-checked Gram Panchayats fulfilled the required quorum.
• PRIs continue to maintain accounts manually on a cash-basis for most funds, despite the e-Gram Swaraj Portal being available since April 2020.

Also in the document

• CAG found that the operational framework for devolving the 29 functions mandated by the Constitution to PRIs was not in place, leaving them inadequately equipped to discharge responsibilities.
• CAG reported that no action was taken against responsible incumbents for non-compliance with quorum requirements in Gram Sabha meetings.
• CAG noted that standing committee meetings in test-checked ZPs/JPs/GPs were not held in a time-bound manner as prescribed by rules.