Delhi Jal Board audit: CAG report ‘flags irregularities’ in advertising, accounts

against bulk and retail water. The report, it is learnt, states that while the revenue section listed the dues as around Rs 9,000 crore, this figure was around Rs 2,800 crore in accounts — a gap of over Rs 6,000 crore.

The Delhi government did not comment on the matter. After its finance department had raised concerns about mismanagement of funds in the water utility, Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal had, in December last year, ordered a CAG audit for the last 15 years.

The request, however, was turned down by the L-G, VK Saxena, who said that the CAG report for 2017-18 should first be tabled in the assembly.

Officials said that the report also talks about the current accounts, and mentions that there was a difference of over Rs 1,000 crore between the balance as per the bank records and the financial statement. “Both these figures are in overdraft. The report states that this discrepancy could be pointing to fraud or misappropriation of funds,” the official added.

Delhi’s flagship scheme of providing free water up to 20 kilolitres to each household per month also finds mention in the report, sources said.

“While DJB received compensation grants of around Rs 425 crore, for subsidy, records state that an amount to Rs 400 crore was provided but this does not reflect in the Income and Expenditure Account. The reasons for this have also not been disclosed,” said an

official.

Another alleged irregularity in accounts flagged in the report, it is learnt, is regarding expenditure on advertisements.

“While the expenditure under this head is stated to be around Rs 12 crore, the report states that files or records related to this expenditure were available only for around Rs 3 crore. Even out of this amount, around half was for between 2015 and 2016,” the official stated.

The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government had said in December that it would take action against any erring officers if irregularities are proved. Water Minister Atishi had said that as allegations of irregularities were made, an audit since 2008 was being sought by the Chief Minister.

“As the opposition is raising some allegations of financial irregularities and mismanagement in the DJB, the CM has ordered a CAG audit of the Board’s accounts from 2008 till date to bring out the truth… The Delhi government will take strict action against all those involved if any discrepancy comes out… The finance department has raised concerns regarding financial mismanagement but has not pointed out specific instances or errant officials. This makes the audit essential,” she had said at a press conference.