Lagatar24 Desk
Ranchi: The Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) of India has flagged serious lapses in financial accountability by the Jharkhand government. According to the report presented in the state assembly’s monsoon session, the state has failed to provide utilisation certificates (UCs) for central assistance worth ₹1.33 lakh crore within the stipulated timeline. Additionally, the government has not furnished expenditure details for ₹4,891.72 crore taken as advance withdrawals.
Central Grants Unaccounted
The CAG report noted that the state was required to submit 47,367 utilisation certificates for the funds received from the Centre up to March 31, 2024. However, these certificates have not been submitted within the deadline, raising questions about transparency and accountability. The report further revealed a sharp decline in Jharkhand’s share of central grants—from 21.06% in FY 2019–20 to just 10.40% in FY 2023–24. During the last fiscal year, Jharkhand received only ₹6,266.71 crore as central contributions under sponsored schemes.
Advance Withdrawals Without Details
The CAG also criticised the government’s handling of advance withdrawals. As per treasury rules, the state must provide a detailed account of such spending within two months. However, Jharkhand has failed to explain how ₹4,891.72 crore withdrawn in advance was utilised.
Mixed Financial Indicators
On a positive note, the report pointed out that the Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP) grew by 10.46% in FY 2023–24 compared to FY 2022–23. The state’s revenue increased by 9.57%, with revenue from its own sources showing an 11.49% jump. Expenditure also surged—revenue spending went up by 14.99% and total government expenditure rose by 19.58%. Importantly, the fiscal deficit reduced from 2.59% of GSDP in 2019–20 to 1.37% in 2023–24, which is well within the 3% limit prescribed under the FRBM Act.
