Irregularities Flagged in Subsidy and Vehicle Fitness Certification
The live ink desk. The Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) report for the financial year 2022–23 was tabled in the Bihar Legislative Assembly during the Budget Session on Thursday. The report presents a detailed assessment of the state’s revenue position, fiscal management, and departmental compliance, highlighting significant irregularities and pending recoveries.
Revenue Profile: Heavy Dependence on Central Transfers
According to the report of the Comptroller and Auditor General of India, Bihar’s total receipts for 2022–23 stood at Rs. 1,72,688.02 crore. Of this, Rs. 48,152.63 crore was generated through the state’s own resources — an increase of Rs. 9,313.75 crore (23.98%) compared to the previous year.
However, Rs. 1,24,535.39 crore — accounting for 72.12% of total receipts — came from the central government, indicating continued structural dependence on central transfers.
Rs. 4,844 Crore Revenue Outstanding
As of March 31, 2023, total outstanding revenue amounted to Rs. 4,844 crore, of which Rs. 1,430.32 crore had been pending for more than five years. The report notes that several departments failed to furnish detailed status updates on long-pending arrears, raising concerns over recovery mechanisms.
Departments such as Mining, Transport, Prohibition, and Land Revenue reportedly did not provide updated details for arrears pending beyond five years.
Irregularities in Agricultural Input Subsidy Scheme
The CAG report highlights substantial discrepancies in the implementation of the Agricultural Input Subsidy Scheme. In 2019, Rs. 21.48 crore was disbursed in 10 districts that had not been officially declared flood-affected by the Disaster Management Department. Additionally, Rs. 4.03 crore was paid to applicants in 14 districts that were not part of notified disaster-hit areas.
During the Rabi and Kharif seasons of 2019–20, subsidies worth ₹151.92 crore were distributed over an area exceeding the notified crop-damage zone by 1.34 lakh hectares. Non-compliance with SDRF-prescribed assistance rates resulted in excess payments of Rs. 3.74 crore.
Deficiencies in database controls, improper mapping, and non-adherence to prescribed provisions led to excess, short, or irregular payments totaling Rs. 56.14 crore across 15.53 lakh cases. Furthermore, between 2019 and 2022, Rs. 159.28 crore was disbursed in 6,81,617 cases despite crop damage being less than the mandated 33% threshold.
Lapses in Vehicle Fitness Certification
Serious procedural violations were detected in the Transport Department’s Automated Testing Stations (ATS). Fitness certificates were issued without full adherence to the prescribed Standard Operating Procedures, resulting in revenue loss of Rs. 2.27 crore.
Out of 47,223 vehicles examined, 42,672 (over 90%) were granted fitness certificates in violation of procedural norms. The mandatory online appointment system was not consistently followed. Of 66,345 tested vehicles, 35,921 failed fitness checks, raising concerns over road and public safety.
Undue Advantage to Contractors
The Bihar State Educational Infrastructure Development Corporation allegedly extended undue benefits amounting to Rs. 94.25 lakh to contractors, leading to financial loss to the corporation.
The CAG findings underscore systemic weaknesses in revenue recovery, internal controls, and compliance enforcement. With significant arrears and procedural lapses across key departments, the report is expected to trigger substantive debate on fiscal discipline and administrative accountability during the ongoing Budget Session.
Major outstanding dues include:
- Taxes on goods and passengers: Rs. 248.58 crore
- Mining and metallurgical industries: Rs. 1,505.16 crore
- Motor vehicle tax: Rs. 183.39 crore
- Land revenue: Rs. 302.47 crore
- Stamp duty and registration fees: Rs. 215.61 crore
- State excise: Rs. 54.30 crore
- GST: Rs. 3.25 crore
- Electricity duty and fees: Rs. 20 lakh
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