CAG finds CSB missing 56.90 acres of land valued at ₹113.10 crore

It assessed whether CSB effectively documented, utilized, and safeguarded its assets and managed closed or merged units.

Who it concerns: Central Silk Board (CSB), a statutory body under the Ministry of Textiles, Government of India.

What the auditor found

• CAG found that CSB did not have a Land and Property Management Policy, an Estate Department, or an Information System for its properties.
• There were discrepancies in land data: CSB reported 4,382.14 acres in 2016-17, but unit-wise data showed 5,382.53 acres; CAG could not confirm the total number of units due to missing records of 23 additional units.
• CSB lacked title deeds or sale agreements for 25 out of 48 sampled units that held land.
• 39% of the land (15.80 lakh sq. mtr) in 17 sampled functional units was vacant or unutilized.
• Out of 626 staff quarters in sampled functional units, 371 were vacant, with 96 declared unfit.
• Lack of fencing or boundary walls in 18 units led to encroachment of 21.44 acres of land, valued at approximately ₹6.88 crore.
• CAG found that CSB was not in possession of 56.90 acres of land, valued at ₹113.10 crore, based on mapping and survey data.
• CAG recommended that CSB formulate a property management policy, obtain missing title deeds, utilize or surrender idle land and buildings, and establish a mechanism to track assets created by beneficiaries using scheme funds.

Also in the document

• CAG reported that CSB was not in possession of 56.90 acres of land with a guidance value of ₹113.10 crore.
• CAG noted that CSB could not confirm the actual number of its functional and closed units because 23 units were missing from the official list provided to the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs.
• CAG found that CSB incurred expenses for electricity, taxes, and security at four closed units where buildings were vacant and in dilapidated conditions.