CAG Finds Financial Irregularities in Compensatory Afforestation Funds
Dehradun: In a shocking revelation, the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) has found that funds meant for afforestation and environmental conservation in Uttarakhand were misused for purchasing iPhones, laptops, and even building renovations. The findings have raised serious concerns over financial management and accountability in the state’s afforestation programs.
Misuse of Compensatory Afforestation Fund
The CAG report, tabled recently, highlights that the Uttarakhand Forest Department diverted a substantial portion of the Compensatory Afforestation Fund Management and Planning Authority (CAMPA) funds for non-permissible expenditures. These funds, meant to restore forest cover and counterbalance environmental damage caused by deforestation, were instead used for luxury items such as high-end smartphones, laptops, and office renovations.
The irregularities were detected in multiple transactions where officials spent afforestation funds on gadgets and refurbishing office premises instead of implementing tree plantation projects or ecological restoration efforts. The CAG flagged these expenses as violations of CAMPA guidelines, which clearly state that funds should be exclusively used for forest conservation and development.
Violation of CAMPA Guidelines
The CAMPA funds, collected from project developers as compensation for deforestation, are strictly allocated for afforestation programs, wildlife protection, and ecological restoration. However, the CAG report found that a significant amount was spent on administrative expenses, including office upgrades and purchase of electronic devices that were not linked to environmental conservation.
Environmental activists and opposition parties have criticized the Uttarakhand government for failing to ensure the proper utilization of funds. They have demanded a thorough probe and strict action against officials responsible for the mismanagement.
Government’s Response and Action
Following the CAG report, state authorities have assured that they will investigate the matter and take necessary corrective measures. A senior forest department official stated that they are reviewing the expenditures flagged in the audit report and will take disciplinary action if any misuse is confirmed.
Meanwhile, experts warn that such financial mismanagement can severely impact afforestation efforts, especially in a state like Uttarakhand, which is prone to landslides and ecological degradation. They urge stricter oversight and transparency in the utilization of environmental funds to prevent future irregularities.
The CAG’s findings have sparked a larger debate on accountability and governance in environmental conservation programs across India, emphasizing the need for stricter monitoring and enforcement of fund usage.
