‘Delays’ in CAG report tabling latest tussle between Delhi govt, LG

The LG also drew the attention of the CM towards certain CAG observations ‘in the interest of accountable governance which is both efficient and effective’.

Delhi lieutenant governor VK Saxena on Monday wrote to chief minister Arvind Kejriwal over an “inordinate delay” in presenting CAG (Comptroller and Auditor General) reports related to the Delhi government from 2017 to 2021 to the legislative assembly, saying that it affected timely corrective action, and urged the CM to ensure that in future such reports are placed before the House on time.

Delhi LG VK Saxena addresses at the second convocation ceremony of the North Delhi Municipal Corporation Medical College on Monday. (ANI)

The LG also drew the attention of the CM towards certain CAG observations “in the interest of accountable governance which is both efficient and effective”.

“It is observed that many irregularities pointed out in the reports are of serious nature requiring urgent attention. Conduct of the audit is essential for ensuring accountable governance. Securing timely action on the audit observations is a key responsibility of the government which is expected to ensure judicious use of public funds. Inordinate delay in laying the audit reports before the assembly not only delayed timely corrective action but also indirectly resulted in perpetuating stated deficiencies, thus defeating the purpose of the audit in terms of ensuring efficiency, accountability and compliance with laid down rules and procedures,” the LG wrote.

HT has seen copies of the CAG reports referred to and the letter.

On the basis of the CAG reports the LG in his letter to the CM flagged several irregularities in water supply, delay in completion of projects, development works in unauthorised colonies, losses being incurred by state PSUs, etc.

The Constitution mandates the presentation of CAG reports pertaining to the accounts of Delhi in the state assembly. Last week, the LG office claimed that the AAP government did not place CAG reports for 2017-18, 2018-19, 2019-20 and 2020-21 on time. All the aforesaid reports were laid before the assembly on July 5.

Delhi government officials did not respond to requests for comment.

The LG flagged that tabling of multiple reports in one go could have scuttled the opportunity to discuss the auditor’s observations.

“…4 audit reports of the CAG relating to GNCTD from the year 2017 to 2021 were pending until recently with the deputy chief minister without being laid on the floor of the assembly. The delay in laying the reports was repeatedly flagged by this office with the last reminder being sent on June 15. Eventually, all the above reports were laid before the assembly on July 5 after a considerable gap of time,” the LG wrote in the letter.

“It is also not clear if tabling four audit reports in one go afforded enough opportunity for discussion and deliberations in the House on the observations of the CAG which were serious in nature and called for in-depth introspection by all,” said the LG.

On the basis of the CAG reports the LG in his letter to the CM flagged several irregularities in water supply, delay in completion of projects, development works in unauthorised colonies, losses being incurred by state PSUs, etc.

“In the absence of a strategic plan to provide piped water supply to all 1,797 unauthorised colonies (UACs) by December 2018, only 353 were provided piped water supply during 2013-18 and as of March 2018, 567 UACs were still dependent on tube-wells/hand-pumps and water tankers by DJB for their potable water requirements,” the LG said in the letter.

Referring to the CAG observations, the LG flagged the losses being incurred by state PSUs – seven state government companies with an investment of ₹6,929.93 crore had accumulated losses of ₹31,724 crore.

“Delhi government may consider reviewing the working of the state PSUs which are incurring huge losses, to formulate a strategic plan for their revival or closure as the case may be,” he said.

The LG further pointed out from the CAG observations: “Out of 1,797 unauthorised colonies, 1,573 unauthorised colonies (88%) were not provided with sewerage facilities as of March 2018 and sewage generated by these colonies lowed into storm water drains and eventually into the river Yamuna in its untreated form.”

The LG also flagged another observation of the CAG in its state finance audit report which stated that in the year 2019-20 supplementary grants amounting to ₹810.86 crore in 11 cases were obtained in anticipation of additional expenditure, but the final expenditure was even less than the original grant.

AAP MP Sanjay Singh downplayed the development and said the LG and the BJP do not have any other work than making baseless allegations. “The LG has been appointed only for this purpose. It is a waste of time to take a serious view of any allegation levelled by the LG and the BJP,” Singh said on the sidelines of a press conference at the AAP office.

Meanwhile, the CAG audit findings said Delhi’s revenue surplus in 2019-20 of ₹7,499 crore indicated that revenue receipts of the government were sufficient to meet expenditure requirements.

“Revenue surplus stood at 0.88% of GSDP in 2019-20 as against 0.81% in 2018-19. NCT of Delhi has been able to maintain revenue surplus largely on account of pension liabilities of GNCTD employees being borne by the GoI (government of India). In addition, expenditure of Delhi Police is also borne by the Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India,” the CAG report said.