Bihar Faces Financial Scrutiny as Rs 70,877 Crore Utilisation Remains Unaccounted

The Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) has criticized the Bihar government for failing to provide utilisation certificates for projects totaling Rs 70,877 crore. The findings were detailed in the CAG report on State Finances for 2023-24, which was presented to the state assembly on Thursday.

The report highlights a significant concern, noting that as of March 31, 2024, 49,649 utilisation certificates remained outstanding, raising the risk of embezzlement and misappropriation. Major departments contributing to this backlog include Panchayati Raj and Education, with Rs 28,154.10 crore and Rs 12,623.67 crore unaccounted for, respectively.

The report also reveals that the state's total budget for the year was Rs 3.26 lakh crore, of which only 79.92% was spent. Untimely submission of DC bills added another layer of financial unrest, posing a further risk to the state's economic stability.

(With inputs from agencies.)