A whopping sum of ₹ 13,007 crore (7%) remained unspent during 2016-17, said a report of the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) for the year ending March 2017.
“Release of money from the Consolidated Fund to implementing agencies should be based on requirement of funds rather than to avoid lapse on budget funds”, said the report, which was tabled in the Legislative Assembly on Friday.
A sum of ₹ 260.29 crore related to scholarships to minority students, deposited in the account of Directorate of Minorities, was not utilised, the report said.
Against a total provision of ₹1,86,952 crore during 2016-17, an expenditure of 1,73,045 crore was incurred, resulting in unspent amount of ₹ 13,007 crore.
Others included ₹ 106 crore released to Suvarna Arogya Suraksha Trust, a society formed for the purpose of implementation of the Rastriya Swasthya Bhima Yojana scheme; and ₹ 260.29 crore related to scholarships to minority students, deposited in the account of Directorate of Minorities.
The devolution to urban local bodies is governed by the recommendations of the State Finance Commission. The devolution of grants to ULBs revealed non-utilisation of ₹ 673.14 crore, constituting seven per cent of the total provision of ₹ 9,231.14 crore. Out of the unutilised provision during 2016-17, 37% of the ₹ 254.34 crore was on account of non-submission of utility certificates by the Directorate.
The report noted that budgetary control should be strengthened in all departments to avoid cases of provision remaining unutilised.
It said the share of capital expenditure to total expenditure during 2016-17 was 19% (₹28,150 crore) as against 15% (₹20,136 crore) in the previous year.
