CAG finds 43% inflation in AP irrigation project costs

The Comptroller and Auditor-General report on Andhra Pradesh finances has as usual made damning comments on the State Government, saying funds have been diverted. The report released in the State Assembly on Wednesday said that funds under one head had been diverted to some other purpose. It said the TDP government had used the funds at its discretion rather than for the purpose. The report said in particular that the irrigation projects had been taken up at a premium of as much as 42.82% over and above the allocations made. This, it attributed to the profligacy of the State government. In the first year of the TDP government itself (2014-15), the allocations made were not according to the determined priorities. The TDP government had spent the Rs 12.61 crore meant for Aadhar Cards by diverting it to Girijan areas. This diversion of funds is attributable to Girijan areas being strongholds of the Opposition YCP party. Most of the Girijan MLAs in the State are with the YCP. Obviously, the government wanted to win over the Girijans and their MLAs.