Srinagar, April 03 (KNS): The Comptroller and Auditor General of India has raised concerns over the delay in filing utilisation certificates (UCs) of funds in Jammu and Kashmir.
The CAG has called for timely submission of the UCs and necessary steps to ensure adjustment of the advances drawn on the Abstract Contingent (AC) bills within the stipulated period.
The CAG has also called for timely preparation and submission of accounts by various autonomous bodies in the Union Territory.
The report indicates that 3,859 number of UCs amounting to Rs 11,295.43 crore pertaining to the erstwhile State and UT of Jammu and Kashmir are still outstanding as of 31st March 2022. The department-wise breakup of the total outstanding UCs shows that 77.73% of total outstanding UCs pertain to four departments, of which 43.13% of outstanding UCs pertain to the education department.
The CAG has called for the concerned persons to be held accountable for timely submission of UCs. Non-submission of the UCs means that the authorities have not explained how funds were spent over the years.
There is also no assurance that the intended objectives of providing these funds have been achieved. The CAG has also raised concerns over eight autonomous bodies which were to render annual accounts to CAG.
It says 37 numbers of accounts were not rendered for the period ranging between one to 12 years. Delay or arrears in finalisation of accounts carries the risk of financial irregularities going undetected and entails the possibility of fraud and misappropriation.(KNS)