A fresh CAG audit has put Tamil Nadu's RTOs under the scanner. The report flags the illegal continued use of government vehicle number plates even after ownership changed hands — with 14,416 government vehicles found transferred to private owners without the mandatory re-registration process. The lapse means these vehicles may still be circulating with official plates despite no longer being government-owned, raising accountability questions about oversight at the state's Regional Transport Offices.


Tamil Nadu: CAG report flags 14,416 government vehicles illegally transferred to private owners

The Comptroller and Auditor General of India has found seven states with off-budget borrowing, incorrectly classified expenditure, untransferred cesses and other unpaid obligations to make their budget look healthier than reality. The real financial position of these states was worse than what the official numbers showed.&nbsp;The report found that Maharashtra and West Bengal seem to have managed to keep their fiscal deficits within their respective limits in 2024-25. Meanwhile, the revenue deficit of Bihar increased nearly sevenfold after audit adjustments, and Chhattisgarh’s doubled. In addition, Gujarat retained a revenue surplus; however, it was almost Rs 12,000 crore smaller than its originally indicated Finance Accounts.<h3>Fiscal deficit of seven states</h3>Maharashtra was found to have a fiscal deficit of Rs 1,24,208.74 crore, marking 2.74 per cent of its gross state domestic product, or GSDP. The Maharashtra report of the CAG increased the deficit by Rs 20,717.72 crore to Rs 1,44,926.46 crore, showing 3.20 per cent of GSDP. The biggest adjustment rose from Rs 18,440 crore borrowed during 2024-25 through the Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation. The loans carried a state guarantee, and their principal and interest were supposed to be met through budgetary provisions.&nbsp;Bihar's Finance Accounts showed a revenue deficit of just Rs 357.38 crore, but the CAG recalculated this figure to Rs 2,500.81 crore in its Bihar report. This revision stemmed from revenue expenditure wrongly booked as capital expenditure, along with shortfalls or non-transfers of funds to the National Pension System, Single Nodal Agency accounts, and funds meant for construction workers, road safety, and mineral exploration.&nbsp;As a result, Bihar's revenue deficit rose from 0.04 per cent to 0.25 per cent of GSDP after the audit. Its fiscal deficit, already exceeding the prescribed target, climbed further too, from 4.16 per cent per the Finance Accounts to 4.37 per cent on a post-audit basis.&nbsp;Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/up-gangster-atiq-ahmed-s-son-on-way-to-meet-jailed-brother-killed-in-road-accident-in-jhansi-1786002698869">UP gangster Atiq Ahmed's son, on way to meet jailed brother, killed in road accident in Jhansi</a>&nbsp;Chhattisgarh had reported a revenue deficit of Rs 5,099.47 crore, which the CAG revised upward to Rs 10,245.83 crore. This change was mainly driven by Rs 1,234.79 crore in revenue expenditure misclassified as capital expenditure, plus Rs 3,912.32 crore in off-budget borrowing repayments that were recorded as capital spending. Gujarat's Finance Accounts had shown a revenue surplus of Rs 18,942.94 crore, but CAG adjustments cut this down to Rs 7,013.97 crore, a drop of Rs 11,928.97 crore, or nearly 63 per cent.&nbsp;West Bengal had reported a fiscal deficit of Rs 61,924 crore, or 3.41 per cent of GSDP, staying within its 3.50 percent limit. However, once untransferred cess, the non-recoupment of the Contingency Fund, and other adjustments were factored in, the CAG's post-audit figure rose to Rs 63,739.23 crore, or 3.51 per cent of GSDP.&nbsp;On the other hand, the CAG raised Karnataka's revenue deficit from Rs 20,834 crore to Rs 22,843 crore, citing misclassified capital expenditure and unpaid interest. Kerala's fiscal deficit rose from Rs 48,248.14 crore (3.86 per cent of GSDP) to Rs 48,510.20 crore (3.89 per cent). The audit flagged Rs 39,230.33 crore in off-budget borrowings via KIIFB and KSSPL, excluded from Kerala's reported Rs 4.46 lakh crore liabilities (35.71 per cent of GSDP); including them would push the ratio to 38.86 per cent.

Bihar's revenue deficit rose from 0.04 per cent to 0.25 per cent of GSDP after the audit. Its fiscal deficit, already exceeding the prescribed target, climbed further too, from 4.16 per cent per the Finance Accounts to 4.37 per cent on a post-audit basis.

The Comptroller and Auditor General of India has found seven states with off-budget borrowing, incorrectly classified expenditure, untransferred cesses and other unpaid obligations to make their budget look healthier than reality. The real financial position of these states was worse than what the official numbers showed. The report found that Maharashtra and West Bengal seem to have managed to keep their fiscal deficits within their respective limits in 2024-25. Meanwhile, the revenue deficit of Bihar increased nearly sevenfold after audit adjustments, and Chhattisgarh’s doubled. In addition, Gujarat retained a revenue surplus; however, it was almost Rs 12,000 crore smaller than its originally indicated Finance Accounts. Fiscal deficit of seven states Maharashtra was found to have a fiscal deficit of Rs 1,24,208.74 crore, marking 2.74 per cent of its gross state domestic product, or GSDP. The Maharashtra report of the CAG increased the deficit by Rs 20,717.72 crore to Rs 1,44,926.46 crore, showing 3.20 per cent of GSDP. The biggest adjustment rose from Rs 18,440 crore borrowed during 2024-25 through the Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation. The loans carried a state guarantee, and their principal and interest were supposed to be met through budgetary provisions. Bihar's Finance Accounts showed a revenue deficit of just Rs 357.38 crore, but the CAG recalculated this figure to Rs 2,500.81 crore in its Bihar report. This revision stemmed from revenue expenditure wrongly booked as capital expenditure, along with shortfalls or non-transfers of funds to the National Pension System, Single Nodal Agency accounts, and funds meant for construction workers, road safety, and mineral exploration. As a result, Bihar's revenue deficit rose from 0.04 per cent to 0.25 per cent of GSDP after the audit. Its fiscal deficit, already exceeding the prescribed target, climbed further too, from 4.16 per cent per the Finance Accounts to 4.37 per cent on a post-audit basis. Also read: UP gangster Atiq Ahmed's son, on way to meet jailed brother, killed in road accident in Jhansi Chhattisgarh had reported a revenue deficit of Rs 5,099.47 crore, which the CAG revised upward to Rs 10,245.83 crore. This change was mainly driven by Rs 1,234.79 crore in revenue expenditure misclassified as capital expenditure, plus Rs 3,912.32 crore in off-budget borrowing repayments that were recorded as capital spending. Gujarat's Finance Accounts had shown a revenue surplus of Rs 18,942.94 crore, but CAG adjustments cut this down to Rs 7,013.97 crore, a drop of Rs 11,928.97 crore, or nearly 63 per cent. West Bengal had reported a fiscal deficit of Rs 61,924 crore, or 3.41 per cent of GSDP, staying within its 3.50 percent limit. However, once untransferred cess, the non-recoupment of the Contingency Fund, and other adjustments were factored in, the CAG's post-audit figure rose to Rs 63,739.23 crore, or 3.51 per cent of GSDP. On the other hand, the CAG raised Karnataka's revenue deficit from Rs 20,834 crore to Rs 22,843 crore, citing misclassified capital expenditure and unpaid interest. Kerala's fiscal deficit rose from Rs 48,248.14 crore (3.86 per cent of GSDP) to Rs 48,510.20 crore (3.89 per cent). The audit flagged Rs 39,230.33 crore in off-budget borrowings via KIIFB and KSSPL, excluded from Kerala's reported Rs 4.46 lakh crore liabilities (35.71 per cent of GSDP); including them would push the ratio to 38.86 per cent.

Bihar's revenue deficit rose from 0.04 per cent to 0.25 per cent of GSDP after the audit. Its fiscal deficit, already exceeding the prescribed target, climbed further too, from 4.16 per cent per the Finance Accounts to 4.37 per cent on a post-audit basis.

Seven states’ revenue deficits higher than reported, CAG finds; Bihar up 7x, Chhattisgarh doubles

Former Delhi chief minister and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Atishi, on Tuesday (Feb 25), said in response to the CAG report presented in the assembly that the audit document actually exposed corruption under the old liquor policy, which was in place from 2017-21.
She alleged that the residents of Delhi suffered losses due to the illegal importation of liquor from neighbouring states Haryana and Uttar Pradesh.
"The excise audit report was presented in the Delhi Assembly today. Its seven chapters are on the excise policy from 2017-21, and one chapter is on the new excise policy. The Delhi government had exposed the flaws and corruption of the old excise policy to the people of Delhi. Under that policy, liquor was brought illegally from Haryana and UP. We all know whose government is there in these states and who must be getting the profit," Atishi said, while addressing a press conference.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet publive-iframes-block publive-Twitter-block" contenteditable="false" width="600" height="400" id="PL_blockquote_block-m7khcqwz-i87llt1t-o8w4kymx">
<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WATCH?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WATCH</a> | CAG Report tabled in the Delhi Assembly | Former CM, and Delhi LoP Atishi says, "The excise audit report was presented in the Delhi Assembly today. Its seven chapters are on the excise policy from 2017-21, and one chapter is on the new excise policy. The Delhi government&hellip; <a href="https://t.co/70AGlTecjr">pic.twitter.com/70AGlTecjr</a>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/1894333436741259617?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 25, 2025</a></blockquote>
She also highlighted that the new excise policy aimed to promote transparency and increase revenue.
"This report is repeating the same thing that we said that the people of Delhi are incurring losses due to the old policy. This policy makes it clear that the AAP government took the right decision by removing the old policy," she said.
"This report has confirmed our point. There was corruption in how much liquor was being sold. This report shows that more than 28 per cent of corruption was being done by the contractors, and the money was going into the pockets of the brokers," Attishi added.
"It shows that black marketing of liquor was happening, and everyone knew which party people had the liquor contracts. The liquor contractors made profits by calculating the cost price in an incorrect manner," she said.
<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/cag-report-delhi-govt-suffered-losses-of-rs-2000-crore-due-to-liquor-policy-8754958">Also read: CAG report: Delhi govt suffered losses of Rs 2,000 crore due to liquor policy</a>
<h2>BJP slams Arvind Kejriwal, Manish Sisodia</h2>
Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta on Tuesday (Feb 25) tabled the CAG report in the assembly. The report revealed that the Delhi government suffered cumulative losses of over Rs 2,000 crore (USD 242.42 million) due to the 2021-2022 excise policy.&nbsp;
The Aap Aadmi Party (AAP) government in Delhi had implemented the liquor policy on November 17, 2021. But it was scrapped at the end of September 2022 as corruption allegations were levelled against the party. AAP denied the accusations.&nbsp;
The investigating agencies have said that the profit margins of wholesalers were increased from 5 per cent to 12 per cent under the new policybrought by AAP. The agencies have also alleged that the new policy resulted in cartelisation, and those ineligible for liquor licences were favoured for monetary benefits.
Delhi BJP chief Virendraa Sachdeva alleged that AAP looted the people of Delhi and scammed them.
"This CAG report exposes the black deeds of Arvind Kejriwal, Manish Sisodia and AAP. It tells how AAP looted and scammed the people of Delhi...how they opened shops at residential and religious places," he said.
(With inputs from agencies)

India news: Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta on Tuesday (Feb 25) tabled the CAG report in the assembly which noted that the Delhi government suffered cumulative losses of over Rs 2,000 crore (USD 242.42 million) due to the 2021-2022 excise policy.

Former Delhi chief minister and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Atishi, on Tuesday (Feb 25), said in response to the CAG report presented in the assembly that the audit document actually exposed corruption under the old liquor policy, which was in place from 2017-21. She alleged that the residents of Delhi suffered losses due to the illegal importation of liquor from neighbouring states Haryana and Uttar Pradesh. "The excise audit report was presented in the Delhi Assembly today. Its seven chapters are on the excise policy from 2017-21, and one chapter is on the new excise policy. The Delhi government had exposed the flaws and corruption of the old excise policy to the people of Delhi. Under that policy, liquor was brought illegally from Haryana and UP. We all know whose government is there in these states and who must be getting the profit," Atishi said, while addressing a press conference. #WATCH | CAG Report tabled in the Delhi Assembly | Former CM, and Delhi LoP Atishi says, "The excise audit report was presented in the Delhi Assembly today. Its seven chapters are on the excise policy from 2017-21, and one chapter is on the new excise policy. The Delhi government… pic.twitter.com/70AGlTecjr — ANI (@ANI) February 25, 2025 She also highlighted that the new excise policy aimed to promote transparency and increase revenue. "This report is repeating the same thing that we said that the people of Delhi are incurring losses due to the old policy. This policy makes it clear that the AAP government took the right decision by removing the old policy," she said. "This report has confirmed our point. There was corruption in how much liquor was being sold. This report shows that more than 28 per cent of corruption was being done by the contractors, and the money was going into the pockets of the brokers," Attishi added. "It shows that black marketing of liquor was happening, and everyone knew which party people had the liquor contracts. The liquor contractors made profits by calculating the cost price in an incorrect manner," she said. Also read: CAG report: Delhi govt suffered losses of Rs 2,000 crore due to liquor policy BJP slams Arvind Kejriwal, Manish Sisodia Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta on Tuesday (Feb 25) tabled the CAG report in the assembly. The report revealed that the Delhi government suffered cumulative losses of over Rs 2,000 crore (USD 242.42 million) due to the 2021-2022 excise policy. The Aap Aadmi Party (AAP) government in Delhi had implemented the liquor policy on November 17, 2021. But it was scrapped at the end of September 2022 as corruption allegations were levelled against the party. AAP denied the accusations. The investigating agencies have said that the profit margins of wholesalers were increased from 5 per cent to 12 per cent under the new policybrought by AAP. The agencies have also alleged that the new policy resulted in cartelisation, and those ineligible for liquor licences were favoured for monetary benefits. Delhi BJP chief Virendraa Sachdeva alleged that AAP looted the people of Delhi and scammed them. "This CAG report exposes the black deeds of Arvind Kejriwal, Manish Sisodia and AAP. It tells how AAP looted and scammed the people of Delhi...how they opened shops at residential and religious places," he said. (With inputs from agencies)

CAG Report: AAP’s Atishi links corruption to old policies, BJP fires back with ‘black deeds’ remark

The Comptroller and Auditor-General have pulled up the Army for stationing troops in difficult terrain without enough food or equipment. What was the Army's response? WION's Palki Sharma gets you the report.

Gravitas: Siachen Troops ill-fed & ill-equipped, says CAG report

Indian troops based in high altitudes like Siachen and Ladakh are facing critical shortages of high altitude clothing and equipment like snow goggles, boots, jackets and sleeping bags. Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG) has pulled down the army for delays in procurement. It said the delay in forcing troops to use old and recycled versions of equipment, endangering the lives of the soldiers.

CAG report on Indian Army: Indian soldiers facing trouble in high altitudes

Amid the ongoing controversy over Rafale deal, Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG) on Wednesday tabled its report on Capital Acquisitions in Indian Air Force in Rajya Sabha. The report also contained details of the Rafale deal with the French aircraft manufacturer Dassault Aviation.&nbsp;

The report said compared to the 126 aircraft deal, India managed to save 17.08 per cent&nbsp;for the India Specific Enhancements in the 36 Rafale contract.&nbsp;

The report also said that the proposed delivery schedule is better than the 126 aircraft deal.

The delivery schedule of the first 18 Rafale aircraft is better than the one proposed in the 126 aircraft deal, by five months, the CAG report further said.&nbsp;

The CAG report also said that the deal by the NDA govt was 2.86 per cent lower than the earlier UPA-era deal.

According to the&nbsp;report, a &nbsp;Defence Ministry team in March 2015 recommended the scrapping of the 126 Rafale deal saying that Dassault Aviation was not the lowest bidder and EADS (European Aeronautic Defence &amp; Space Company) was not fully compliant with the tender requirements.

The government's decision to buy 36 Rafale fighter jets from French company Dassault has become a controversial political issue, with the main opposition party Congress levelling allegations of corruption and impropriety, and the ruling dispensation defending the move.

The Rafale issue was also even raised before the Supreme Court, which did not find any substance in the allegations.

However, the issue has continued to rock Parliament with Congress President Rahul Gandhi directly accusing the Prime Minister of benefiting industrialist Anil Ambani.

Meanwhile, Opposition Congress staged a protest outside the Parliament premises over Rafale deal.

Amid the ongoing controversy over Rafale deal, Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG) on Wednesday tabled its report on Capital Acquisitions in Indian Air Force in Rajya Sabha.

Amid the ongoing controversy over Rafale deal, Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG) on Wednesday tabled its report on Capital Acquisitions in Indian Air Force in Rajya Sabha. The report also contained details of the Rafale deal with the French aircraft manufacturer Dassault Aviation. The report said compared to the 126 aircraft deal, India managed to save 17.08 per cent for the India Specific Enhancements in the 36 Rafale contract. The report also said that the proposed delivery schedule is better than the 126 aircraft deal. The delivery schedule of the first 18 Rafale aircraft is better than the one proposed in the 126 aircraft deal, by five months, the CAG report further said. The CAG report also said that the deal by the NDA govt was 2.86 per cent lower than the earlier UPA-era deal. According to the report, a Defence Ministry team in March 2015 recommended the scrapping of the 126 Rafale deal saying that Dassault Aviation was not the lowest bidder and EADS (European Aeronautic Defence & Space Company) was not fully compliant with the tender requirements. The government's decision to buy 36 Rafale fighter jets from French company Dassault has become a controversial political issue, with the main opposition party Congress levelling allegations of corruption and impropriety, and the ruling dispensation defending the move. The Rafale issue was also even raised before the Supreme Court, which did not find any substance in the allegations. However, the issue has continued to rock Parliament with Congress President Rahul Gandhi directly accusing the Prime Minister of benefiting industrialist Anil Ambani. Meanwhile, Opposition Congress staged a protest outside the Parliament premises over Rafale deal.

CAG report on Rafale says 17.08% saved for India Specific enhancements in 36 aircraft contract

Congress president Rahul Gandhi addresses media on Rafale deal

Rahul Gandhi slams CAG report as 'worthless'

Union Minister Arun Jaitley Wednesday said the lies of the Congress and opposition parties stand exposed by the CAG report on Rafale.

The report on Rafale, tabled in the Rajya Sabha, said that the deal negotiated by the NDA in 2016 was 2.86 per cent cheaper than what was negotiated by the UPA in 2007.

"It cannot be that the Supreme Court is wrong, the CAG is wrong and only the dynasty is right. Satyameva Jayate? the truth shall prevail. The CAG Report on Rafale reaffirms the dictum," Jaitley said in a series of tweets.

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The lies of ‘Mahajhootbandhan’ stand exposed by the CAG Report.
— Arun Jaitley (@arunjaitley) <a href="https://twitter.com/arunjaitley/status/1095567091804049408?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 13, 2019</a></blockquote>
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He said the CAG report outlines that 2016 deal terms were lower in terms of price, faster in terms of delivery, while ensuring better maintenance and lower escalation.

"The lies of 'Mahajhootbandhan' stand exposed by the CAG Report. How does democracy punish those who consistently lied to the nation?" he questioned in the tweet.&nbsp;

Union Minister Arun Jaitley Wednesday said the lies of the Congress and opposition parties stand exposed by the CAG report on Rafale. The report on Rafale, tabled in the Rajya Sabha, said that the deal negotiated by the NDA in 2016 was 2.

Union Minister Arun Jaitley Wednesday said the lies of the Congress and opposition parties stand exposed by the CAG report on Rafale. The report on Rafale, tabled in the Rajya Sabha, said that the deal negotiated by the NDA in 2016 was 2.86 per cent cheaper than what was negotiated by the UPA in 2007. "It cannot be that the Supreme Court is wrong, the CAG is wrong and only the dynasty is right. Satyameva Jayate? the truth shall prevail. The CAG Report on Rafale reaffirms the dictum," Jaitley said in a series of tweets. The lies of ‘Mahajhootbandhan’ stand exposed by the CAG Report. — Arun Jaitley (@arunjaitley) February 13, 2019 × He said the CAG report outlines that 2016 deal terms were lower in terms of price, faster in terms of delivery, while ensuring better maintenance and lower escalation. "The lies of 'Mahajhootbandhan' stand exposed by the CAG Report. How does democracy punish those who consistently lied to the nation?" he questioned in the tweet.

Lies of 'Mahajhootbandhan' stand exposed by CAG report, says Jaitley

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