A Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) report tabled in the Odisha Assembly has revealed large-scale financial irregularities in Integrated Tribal Development Agencies (ITDAs), with suspected misappropriation amounting to Rs 148.75 crore between 2018-19 and 2022-23.
The audit, covering 11 sampled ITDAs, found that 71 bank accounts were being operated by Junior Engineers (JEs) and Assistant Engineers (AEs), where government funds were allegedly diverted through ATM withdrawals, self-drawn cheques, POS payments, UPI transfers, mobile recharges, insurance premium payments, and even mutual fund/stock market investments—all unrelated to official work.
Key Findings
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Poor Utilisation: Of the Rs 1,709.47 crore allocated to 20 ITDAs, only Rs 1,190.44 crore (70%) was spent in the sampled agencies.
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Invoice Irregularities: 169 invoices lacked names, 44 were duplicates, and 21 were issued without GST registration.
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Tender Violations: Materials worth Rs 54.25 crore were procured without tenders from cooperative societies, despite their privileges being withdrawn in 2005.
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Cost Overruns: PA, ITDA Paralakhemundi purchased musical instruments worth Rs 3.74 crore against an administrative sanction of Rs 73.60 lakh.
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RA Bill Gaps: In 544 works test-checked, Rs 20.71 crore was shown as spent, but vouchers supported only Rs 17.33 crore.
Recommendations
The CAG urged the ST & SC Development Department to:
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Conduct annual audits of ITDA financial statements.
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Stop irregular bank account operations by JEs/AEs.
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Strictly enforce OPWD Code procedures to ensure financial discipline.
The revelations have sparked concerns over monitoring and accountability of funds meant for tribal welfare.
