BANGALORE: The Comptroller and Auditor General(CAG) has rapped the state government for misuse of funds allocated for distributing scholarships for Backward Caste students from the Social Welfare Department.
The department had provided `19.49 lakh in Kolar Taluk for distribution of scholarships between 2000-01 to 2008-09. CAG officials examined the records and it was found that officials had opened three unauthorised bank accounts and transferred the money from the treasury to them. According to the CAG report tabled in both the Houses of the state legislature, about `17.45 lakh has been misused as there were no documents to prove that the students had received the scholarships. The report also revealed about poor maintenance of records in cash registers and officials concerned not keeping the cheque books safe.
The case has been referred to the Lokayukta for further probe and the CAG has recommended stringent action against those officials responsible.
Irregularities in Scheme for Tribals?
The CAG detected financial mismanagement in the implementation of Tribals’ Development Scheme in HD Kote, Hunsur and Periyapatna taluks During the period 2004-05 to 2006-07 a mismatch of `61.56 lakh has been detected between the funds mentioned in the cash register and the funds reflected in bank accounts.
The CAG has pulled up officials for indiscipline in handling the funds and recommended disciplinary action against the officials concerned.