The Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG) has in it's 'State Finances Audit Report- 2022' pointed out that there was no evidence / utilization certificate on record to show how the Goa government had spent Rs1,618 crore all of which was accounted for by just four departments ; the Directorate of panchayats, municipal administration department, education department and the art and culture department. As of last financial year @ 10,500 utilisation certificates worth about Rs 1,971 crore were outstanding against grants disbursed to various government bodies. The CAG report also highlighted the fact that Rs 37 crores was infructuous expenditure, spent on works other than for the purpose for which it was sanctioned. Also records pertaining to grants were not traceable in the Directorate of Accounts suggesting the risk of fraud, malfeasance, misappropriation and mismanagement. A small state like Goa has already ratcheted up a debt of @ Rs 22,000 crore, thanks to wasteful expenses on 'tamashas' and advertisements. How much more evidence do we need to show that taxpayer's money is being brazenly embezzled by the double engine sarkar. High time that our so called 'sevaks' are thrown out in the next elections.
