Bhubaneswar: The Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG) suspects the misappropriation of Rs 148.75 crore in government funds due to fund mismanagement by engineers in 11 Integrated Tribal Development Agencies (ITDAs) in Odisha. The CAG conducted a compliance audit of 11 out of 22 ITDAs in the State, covering the period from the financial year 2018-19 to 2022-23, and presented its findings in a compliance audit report (civil) submitted to the Odisha Assembly on Wednesday. The ITDAs were established in the State between 1979-80 and 2022-23 to implement various welfare schemes aimed at the integrated socio-economic development of the tribal population residing in the Scheduled areas.
According to the audit report, Rs 621.79 crore in government funds had been transferred to 71 bank accounts of the 11 ITDAs for works executed by the department during 2018-23. The auditor noted that 67 out of 71 bank account statements contained irrelevant transactions amounting to Rs 148.75 crore, which indicated possible misappropriation of government funds. The report highlighted that Junior Engineers (JEs) and Assistant Engineers (AEs) conducted personal transactions totaling Rs 148.75 crore from these accounts, including cash withdrawals through ATMs, cheque payments, payments via POS, insurance premium payments, mobile phone recharges, and UPI transactions. This raised suspicions of misuse of public money by the involved JEs/AEs.
Furthermore, the audit revealed that none of the sampled ITDAs had prepared annual accounts, as required by the Societies Registration Act, 1860, which hindered the ability to address issues related to loss or wasteful expenditure and inefficiencies. The agencies also failed to adhere to government instructions and the Odisha Public Works Department (OPWD) Code in executing infrastructural works. Additionally, the CAG stated that the departmental works were carried out by contractors not selected through a transparent tender process. The CAG recommended that the SC, ST Development Department direct ITDAs to cease the irregular practice of allowing JEs/AEs to operate bank accounts for departmental works and to comply with the OPWD Code.
The department should review all bank transactions conducted by JEs/AEs for departmental works across all ITDAs and hold accountable those officials involved in the suspected misappropriation of government funds.