Lagatar24 Desk
Ranchi: The Jharkhand government has failed to provide utilisation certificates for Rs 1.60 lakh crore in expenditure incurred up to March 31, 2025, with the CAG report flagging concerns over potential misuse of funds given the absence of documentation for such a massive amount.
CAG Flags Missing Utilisation Certificates Since State Formation
According to the financial report for 2024-25 presented during the Assembly’s Monsoon Session, the government has failed to submit utilisation certificates for Rs 1.60 lakh crore in expenditure incurred since the state’s formation until March 31, 2025. Under standard financial rules, utilisation certificates for expenditure incurred in one financial year must be submitted in the following year, but the government has so far failed to provide certification for this substantial sum.
Advance Bill Expenditure Also Unaccounted For
The report further notes that the state government has also failed to provide complete expenditure details (DC Bills) for advance amounts withdrawn from the treasury (AC Bills). While rules permit the government to withdraw advances from the treasury for essential expenses, a fresh advance withdrawal requires submission of expenditure details for the previous advance. However, the government has failed to account for Rs 4,531 crore in expenditure from advance withdrawals as of March 31, 2025.
GSDP Growth and Revenue Increase Recorded
According to the report, presented by Principal Accountant General Indu Agarwal, the state’s GSDP grew by 10.87 percent in 2024-25 compared to 2023-24. Jharkhand contributed 1.56 percent to the country’s GDP during the financial year, a figure consistent with its contribution over the past five years. The state’s revenue also recorded a growth of 7.46 percent in 2024-25 compared to the previous financial year.
