CAG finds irregularities in MGNREGA and OMC in Odisha

ONI Bureau: Finance Minister Shashi Bhusan Behera tabled the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) Annual Report on revenue and public sector in Odisha Assembly today.

Later, the Principal AG Yashodhara Ray Chaudhury, AG BD Basantia & senior officials released their findings on 7 CAG reports tabled in Odisha Assembly.

The CAG Report revealed irregularities in implementation of the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA).

While, unemployment allowance promised to workers who can’t get jobs under the flagship rural job guarantee programme is not being paid in most parts of Odisha. There have also irregularities in payment of wages to workers and dead people drawing old-age pension.

The CAG Report also said Odisha Mining Corporation (OMC) Limited  recorded shortfall in production of 114.44 lakh metric tonne of iron ore and 2.70 lakh metric tonne chrome ore during 2012-17 which could have resulted in revenue of Rs 1838.98 crore.

The CAG Report stated Odisha Mining Corporation Limited lost the opportunity to earn revenue of Rs 1839cr during 2012-17 while out of 34 mining leases, 26 mining leases were inoperative. Out of 26 inoperative mines, Odisha Mining Corporation Limited did not commence any mining operations in eight mines since inception.

Out of 56 working Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs) in Odisha 35 PSUs earned profit of Rs 2028cr & 15 PSUs incurred loss of Rs 507crore as per their latest finalised accounts during October 2016 to Septembber 2017.  The report also shows underassessment of Motor Vehicle Tax & other irregularities involving Rs 86.56cr in 1,15,532 cases.