CAG flags lack of disclosure on government grants, assistance in Nagaland

KOHIMA — The state government released INR 196.59 crore in 2022-23 and INR 629.76 crore in 2023-24 as grants and assistance to various bodies and authorities, according to the Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG) report on State Finances for 2023-24, tabled during the 7th session of the 14th Nagaland Legislative Assembly.

However, the state government did not disclose the names of the bodies and authorities that received grants and loans aggregating INR 10 lakh or more, nor the purposes for which the funds were sanctioned or how they were utilised.

The CAG pointed out that under Section 14 and 15 of the CAG Act, 1971, governments and heads of departments sanctioning such grants and loans are required to furnish details to audit annually. Further, Regulation 84 of the CAG’s Regulations on Audit and Accounts 2007 also mandates that details of grants and loans sanctioned must be furnished by the end of July every year. The report noted that this requirement had not been complied with.

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As per the Finance Accounts, grants and assistance were released to Urban Local Bodies, Rural Local Bodies, Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs), Autonomous Bodies, Non-Government Organisations (NGOs), and others during the two financial years.

Recipients of grants and assistance from the state government (in crore)