Bihar CAG Report: Question on the amount of e-challan in Kaimur, Transport Department under investigation after CAG report

Bihar CAG Report: A case has come to light from Kaimur district of Bihar which has raised serious questions on the state’s administrative system and claims of good governance. The audit report of the Comptroller and Auditor General of India i.e. CAG has revealed financial irregularities worth crores of rupees within the Transport Department. As soon as this report became public, there was a stir in the politics of the state and the opposition started cornering the government.

Error worth crores in recovery of e-challan

The CAG report has claimed that the huge fine collected from the drivers through hand-held e-challan machines in Kaimur district did not reach the government treasury. Between May 2019 and December 2023, a cash fine of about Rs 26 crore 91 lakh was collected in the form of challan. However surprisingly, out of this only Rs 1 crore 96 lakh was deposited in the government account. In this way, no account of the amount of approximately Rs 15 crore 96 lakh is being found.

Questions on the role of officers and employees

After this huge financial gap has come to light, the role of officers and employees of the local transport office has come under doubt. The CAG report has recommended investigation of the then District Transport Officer, Motor Vehicle Inspector, Enforcement Sub Inspector and other office personnel. The audit also found that the cash book and deposit register were not maintained properly, which gives rise to the possibility of major irregularities.

Government’s stance and matter of procedural delay

After the matter heated up, there was a stir in the transport department of Bihar government. Answers are being sought from the concerned officers and employees at the departmental level. The government says that this matter may be related to procedural delay or paperwork. Many times, due to documents and expense slips not being submitted on time, the complete data is not available. Reports have been sought from officers in departmental meetings and strict action has been assured against those found guilty after investigation.

Also read: Scam of Rs 16 crore in Bihar’s transport office, revealed in CAG’s audit report

Opposition’s attack and demand for high level investigation

On the other hand, opposition parties have launched a scathing attack on the government on this issue. The opposition alleges that instead of going into the government treasury, the fine amount kept going into the pockets of officers and employees. The opposition has called it a direct corruption and has demanded an investigation by a high-level inquiry committee. He claims that if an impartial investigation is conducted in the transport offices of the entire state, many more such cases can come to light.

Way forward and departmental accountability

At present this matter is under investigation on the basis of the audit report of CAG. The department says that they are trying to remove this objection and the complete details will be clarified soon. However, this revelation has raised big questions on administrative transparency and monitoring system of revenue collection in Bihar.

Also read: ‘Tap water for every house’ scheme is failing in Bihar, Samrat government also failed in providing water.