CAG finds 60 Jharkhand Gram Panchayats missing final priority list records

It evaluated beneficiary selection, construction progress, financial management, and monitoring mechanisms.

Who it concerns: Government of Jharkhand, specifically the Rural Development Department and local Gram Panchayats involved in the PMAY-G scheme.

What the auditor found

• Inclusion of 2.90 lakh ineligible beneficiaries in the Priority List/Wait List who were later removed.
• 6.32 lakh eligible households (28%) were not covered under the scheme due to target curtailments and delays.
• ₹22.39 crore penal interest liability incurred by the State due to delays in transferring the Central share to the State Nodal Account.
• Only ₹202.91 crore (40%) of the available ₹503.75 crore in administrative funds was utilized during 2019-24.
• 48% of houses checked during Joint Physical Verification lacked toilet facilities, despite the state being declared Open Defecation Free in 2018.
• Delays in house completion ranging from one year to more than three years against a prescribed 12-month timeframe.
• Recommendations include ensuring strict adherence to selection processes, providing houses to remaining Awaas+ beneficiaries, and verifying land titles.

Also in the document

• CAG found that none of the 60 Gram Panchayats selected for testing in six districts could furnish records regarding the preparation of the final Priority List/Wait List between 2016 and 2024.
• CAG noted that 48% of the houses inspected during the audit period lacked toilet facilities, contradicting the state's 2018 declaration of being Open Defecation Free.
• CAG reported that the State Government incurred a penal interest liability of ₹22.39 crore due to delays in transferring central funds.