A report by the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) of India has uncovered significant financial mismanagement in Uttarakhand, including the misuse of funds meant for forest conservation.
According to the report for the financial year 2021-22, public funds were spent without planning or authorisation by the forest and health departments, as well as the Workers Welfare Board.
Misuse of forest conservation funds
The report, presented in the Uttarakhand Assembly during the Budget Session, highlighted that nearly ₹14 crore from the Compensatory Afforestation Fund Management and Planning Authority (CAMPA) was misused for non-forest activities.
These funds, meant to offset the environmental impact of forest land diversion, were instead spent on iPhones, laptops, refrigerators, coolers, office decor, and court expenses.
Additionally, the CAMPA guidelines require compensatory afforestation to be carried out within a year or two growing seasons after receiving the funds. However, in 37 cases, it took more than eight years to complete the process.
The report also flagged irregularities in land selection for the CAMPA scheme and violations in forest land transfer rules.
Between 2014 and 2022, at least 52 non-forestry projects, including roads, power lines, railways, and water supply lines, were started without the required permission from the Divisional Forest Officer (DFO).
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Poor survival rate of planted trees
The CAG report also highlighted poor implementation of afforestation projects, pointing out that the survival rate of planted trees between 2017 and 2022 was only 33%, significantly lower than the 60-65% benchmark set by the Forest Research Institute.
Workers Welfare Board Spent ₹607 Crore Without Approval
The Workers Welfare Board was found to have spent a staggering ₹607 crore without government approval between 2017 and 2021. The report criticized the lack of oversight in the management of these funds.
Expired Medicines Found in Government Hospitals
The audit also exposed severe negligence in Uttarakhand’s healthcare system. It found that at least three government hospitals stocked 34 expired medicines, some of which had expired more than two years ago.
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Shortage of Super Specialist Doctors
The report flagged a severe shortage of specialist doctors in Uttarakhand, especially in hilly regions. According to the findings:
- 70% of specialist doctor posts in hilly areas remain vacant.
- 50% of such posts in the plains are unfilled.
- 250 doctors continued working in violation of lockdown guidelines.
Political reactions and government response
Following the release of the report, the Congress accused the Uttarakhand government of misusing public funds and failing in governance. In response, Uttarakhand Forest Minister Subodh Uniyal announced an investigation into the financial irregularities within his department.
The findings have raised serious concerns over financial accountability in Uttarakhand, with demands for stricter regulations and oversight to prevent further misuse of public resources.
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