A compliance audit by the Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG) has revealed a suspected misappropriation of government funds amounting to ₹148.75 crore in 11 Integrated Tribal Development Agencies (ITDAs) in Odisha. The auditor suspects that the funds were diverted from bank accounts operated by engineers for personal use.
The CAG's compliance audit report, which was presented before the Odisha assembly on Wednesday, covered the period from the 2018-19 to the 2022-23 financial years. The audit found that out of ₹621.79 crore transferred to 71 ITDA bank accounts for works, funds from 67 of these accounts had been used for "irrelevant" personal transactions such as ATM withdrawals, UPI payments, mobile phone recharges, and insurance premiums.
The audit also suggests significant procedural failures. It also noted that none of the sampled ITDAs had prepared annual accounts as required by the Societies Registration Act, 1860.
The report, further, stated that the agencies had not followed the Odisha Public Works Department (OPWD) Code, and that departmental works were executed by contractors who had not been selected through an open and transparent tender process.
In its recommendations, the CAG urged the SC and ST Development Department to immediately stop the irregular practice of engineers operating these bank accounts.
It also asked the department to review all bank transactions and hold the officials responsible for the suspected misappropriation of government funds accountable.
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