Particle.news
Download on the App Store

CAG Flags Assam’s Unrealistic Budgeting and Rising Debt in 2023–24 Audit

Tabled in the Assam Assembly, the report warns of budget shortfalls, weak controls, risking delayed debt stabilisation.

Overview

  • Assam’s outstanding debt grew at an average 20.67% a year from 2019–20 to 2023–24, lifting the debt-to-GSDP ratio to 25.77% and suggesting debt stabilisation may not be feasible soon.
  • Actual expenditure of ₹1,39,449.66 crore fell far below total grants and appropriations of ₹1,69,966.13 crore, creating ₹30,516.47 crore in notional savings as actual receipts of ₹1,38,830.79 crore undershot estimates.
  • Only 0.35% of the year’s savings was surrendered, a pattern the auditor says reflects poor financial management and weak budget reliability across several grants.
  • The legislature approved ₹30,210.86 crore in supplementary grants for 2023–24, with audit analysis finding only 74.19% was required, indicating allocative inefficiency and unnecessary supplementation.
  • Accountability gaps persist with 6,335 utilisation certificates worth ₹18,669.55 crore pending and hundreds of annual accounts from autonomous bodies and PSUs overdue, as the CAG urges deficit reduction, realistic budgeting, stronger monitoring and tighter internal controls.