Particle.news
Download on the App Store

CAG Audit Exposes Major Accountability Gaps in Bihar’s 2023–24 Finances

Widespread lapses in certificate submissions undermine transparency just as Bihar struggles with mounting debt.

Overview

  • As of March 31, 2024, 49,649 utilisation certificates totalling Rs 70,877.61 crore remained unsubmitted to the Accountant General, leaving the fate of these funds unverified.
  • Detailed contingent bills worth Rs 9,205.76 crore are pending against 22,150 abstract contingent advances, undermining financial discipline.
  • Bihar failed to produce supporting vouchers for Rs 22,470.94 crore in centrally sponsored scheme expenditures, obscuring audit trails.
  • The state bypassed the Consolidated Fund by raising Rs 53.48 crore through off-budget borrowing with its Road Development Corporation and breached multiple IGAS accounting standards.
  • Despite a Rs 3.26 lakh crore budget, Bihar utilised only 79.92% of its allocations in 2023–24 while its debt rose to 32.78% of GSDP and officials have not outlined reforms.