Discrepancies in finances of Meghalaya government: Comptroller and Auditor General

STAFF CORRESPONDENT

SHILLONG: The report of the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) found discrepancies in the financial management and budgetary control of the Meghalaya government. This came into light during the review of the budgetary process where a booklet was placed before the Meghalaya Legislative Assembly.

Pointing out at the anomalies where outlay of the various activities are met from the consolidated fund on the basis of the budget art estimates and revised estimates, the CAG found out that during the scrutiny of records of the Finance department, it was noticed that the Departmental Budgetary Estimates (BE) were never submitted by the Administrative department within the target date fixed by the finance (budget) department. Further, the CAG observed that out of the 65 Controlling Officers (COs), 10 had submitted the BE on time while 55 others submitted after the due date. The report also stated that there were delays ranging from one month to three months.

The CAG also found out that there is reason for savings that resulted out of unnecessary supplementary provisions which did not reach even the level of the original provisions as sought.

It is on this basis that the report gave certain recommendations to the government. State government needs to formulate a realistic budget based on reliable assumptions of the needs of the departments and their capacity to absorb. It also asked that appropriate control and monitoring mechanism need to be instituted for identification and surrender of anticipated savings within the specified time frame.

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