Synopsis
A central audit reveals Uttarakhand's forest funds were misappropriated for personal purchases like iPhones and office decor, as per the CAG report for 2021-22. Significant financial irregularities were found in the Forest and Health Departments, raising concerns over governance and compliance.Key Takeaways
- Massive financial irregularities identified.
- Forest funds misused for non-essential purchases.
- Compensatory afforestation delayed by over eight years.
- Only 33% survival rate of planted trees.
- Expired medications found in hospitals.
Dehradun, Feb 22 (NationPress) A central audit has brought to light significant financial discrepancies in Uttarakhand, indicating that funds designated for forest conservation were misappropriated for the purchase of iPhones, office decor, and other unauthorized expenses.
The Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) of India's report for the fiscal year 2021-22 revealed that the hill state's Forest and Health Departments, along with the Workers Welfare Board, utilized public funds without adequate planning or necessary approvals.
Presented in the Uttarakhand Assembly during the Budget Session, the report disclosed that the Workers Welfare Board spent Rs 607 crore without government authorization between 2017 and 2021. It also noted violations of regulations concerning the transfer of forest land.
Approximately Rs 14 crore from the Compensatory Afforestation Fund Management and Planning Authority (CAMPA) -- meant to mitigate the ecological impact of forest land diversion -- was misallocated towards non-forestry expenses. These funds were used for purchasing laptops, refrigerators, and coolers, as well as for building renovations and legal fees, according to the report.
As per CAMPA guidelines, afforestation should take place within one to two growing seasons after receiving funds. However, the audit uncovered that compensatory afforestation was delayed by over eight years in 37 instances.
The report also pointed out irregularities in land selection under the CAMPA scheme, along with violations of forest land transfer regulations. Although the Central government had granted preliminary approval for non-forestry projects like roads, power lines, water supply systems, and railways, necessary permissions from Divisional Forest Officers (DFOs) were not secured. Between 2014 and 2022, work on 52 such projects began without DFO approval.
The CAG report raised further concerns over the survival rate of planted trees, which averaged only 33 percent from 2017 to 2022 -- significantly lower than the 60-65 percent benchmark established by the Forest Research Institute.
Moreover, the audit highlighted the distribution of expired medicines in government hospitals, with at least three facilities possessing stocks of 34 expired drugs, some of which had been outdated for over two years.
The report also emphasized the necessity for new policies to tackle the shortage of super-specialist doctors in the state, finding that 70 percent of specialist posts in hilly regions and 50 percent in plains remained unfilled. Additionally, 250 doctors continued to practice despite breaching lockdown regulations.
Uttarakhand Forest Minister Subodh Uniyal has stated that he has initiated an investigation into the allegations regarding his department.
