PANAJI
The purchase of high-end vehicles by the Chairman and Managing Director of Industrial Development Corporation (IDC), in violation of the State government’s order, has come under the scanner of Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG) whose audit revealed misuse of public funds to the tune of Rs 37 lakhs.
CAG in their audit observation, copy of which was forwarded to the Office of the Accountant General-Goa, has said “Goa IDC purchased a vehicle at a cost of Rs 32,23,557 for the use of Chairman when he was eligible for a vehicle costing up to 20 lakh, and a vehicle costing Rs 30,62,426 for use by the Managing Director, when he was eligible for a vehicle within the cost ceiling of 10 lakh in violation of the Government directions”.
Independent MLA Alexio Reginaldo Lourenco is the chairman while IAS Polumatla Abhishek is holding the charge as Managing Director.
CAG pointed out that the State government via a office memorandum in January 2012, June 2017 and March 2020, had issued standing instructions regarding the type/model of vehicles to be purchased by the Government Departments/ Corporations, Autonomous Bodies with a ceiling limit (inclusive of all taxes and any other charges) of 20 lakh for Chairperson of Government owned Corporation and 10 lakh for Managing Director.
“Disregarding the above directions, Goa IDC purchased (13 September 2022) Toyota Innova Crysta ZX 7 MT vehicle for the official use by the Chairman of the Corporation at a cost of 30,62,426. As the cost was above the ceiling limit prescribed by the Government by 10,62,426, Goa IDC sought post facto approval from the Government for purchase of the vehicle above the ceiling limit of 20 lakh, which was granted by the Government on December 21, 2022,” CAG said.
Interestingly, CAG noted that during a board meeting held on February 9, 2023, the decision was taken to place the so-called vehicle of the Chairman for the use of the Managing Director and to purchase a new vehicle Toyota Innova Hycross VX 7 AT (Hybrid) for the use of Chairman.
“However, Goa IDC purchased (28 April 2023) another vehicle Toyota Innova Hycross VX 7 AT (Hybrid) costing 32,23,557 for the use of Chairman without taking prior approval from the Government,” it said.
“Thus, Goa IDC misutilised an amount of 32.86 lakh by purchase of two vehicles at costs above the ceiling limit prescribed by the Government,” it observed.
CAG also observed that IDC also purchased two Ciaz Delta Petrol vehicles costing 12,39,148 each which were above the ceiling limit of 10 Lakh thus misusing the fund.
“So, the Corporation misused the fund to the tune of 37. 64 lakh for purchase of four vehicles,” it said.
The audit scrutiny also revealed that the Chairman has been regularly claiming reimbursement of 400 liters of Petrol/Diesel per month even after purchase of a Hybrid Vehicle with high mileage. From May 2023 to November 2023, the Chairman claimed Rs 38,868 per month towards reimbursement.
The Chairman, however, failed to produce the logbook of the Hybrid vehicle for audit scrutiny to ascertain the kilometres run by the vehicle so far to cross verify the genuineness of the reimbursement claim. Even after repeated reminders, the log book of the vehicle was not produced for audit scrutiny. The CAG has recommended recovery of excess payment.
