The three district councils in the State have been found wanting in use of funds sanctioned by the Centre for various developmental schemes.
The three councils could utilise only half of the total amount even as they also failed to submit Utilisation Certificates (UCs) to explain where and how the funds were spent over the years.
According to the Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG) in its state finances audit report, the district councils could utilise only 53 percent of the Rs 567.71 crore sanctioned by the Centre for implementation of various developmental schemes.
The audit report stated that the Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council (KHADC), Jaintia Hills Autonomous District Council (JHADC) and Garo Hills Autonomous District Council (GHADC) had received grants of both Central and State governments during the period 2015-16 to 2019-20.
Out of the grants of Rs 567.71 crore received as Central grant during 2015-20, the three district councils could utilise only Rs 302.13 crore (53 per cent) of the total fund allotted.
The audit report also questioned non-submission of the Utilisation Certificates (UCs) by the district councils for the funds sanctioned for them by the Centre.
The CAG has also suggested the State government to advise the district councils to finalise the arrear accounts ranging for two to four years and submit them to the Accountant General.
“Persistent delay in finalisation of accounts is fraught with the risk of fraud and leakage of public money going undetected,” the CAG said.
It also said that as per the Fund Rules of JHADC and GHADC, the Annual Accounts were to be submitted to the Accountant General (Audit) by June 30 of each year but no prescribed date was mentioned in the Fund Rules of the KHADC.
