In a letter addressed to Delhi Assembly Speaker, Ram Niwas Goel, Delhi Lieutenant Governor (LG) VK Saxena on Friday raised serious concerns regarding eleven pending reports from the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) of India.
The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) Government in Delhi has yet to table these crucial reports, which span various domains including state finances, pollution mitigation, liquor regulation, appropriation accounts, public sector undertakings (PSUs), and social and general sectors.
Additionally, a performance audit report on children in need of care and protection is also awaiting presentation.
Several of these reports have been pending since 2022, with the “Performance Audit on Regulation and Supply of Liquor in Delhi” for 2017-18 to 2021-22, submitted to the Delhi Government on March 4, 2024, remaining with Delhi Finance Minister Atishi Marlena since April 11, 2024.
This particular report holds significant importance due to the AAP Government’s controversial excise policy that was marred by allegations of corruption and eventually retracted by the Kejriwal administration.
The LG’s office revealed that the Controller of Accounts, GNCTD, had, on July 18, 2024, confirmed all the aforementioned CAG reports are awaiting action from Atishi Marlena.
In his letter, dated February 22, 2024, Saxena had previously addressed the issue with Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, urging expeditious laying of these reports.
Reminding the constitutional mandate, Saxena cited Article 151 of the Constitution, Section 48 of the Government of NCT of Delhi Act, 1991, and Regulation 210 of the Regulations on Audit and Accounts, 2007, to stress the importance of tabling these reports.
He highlighted that the delay in presenting the CAG reports not only evades legislative and public scrutiny but also undermines democratic accountability.
Saxena’s letter also alludes to past instances where critical reports on the performance of entities like the Delhi Jal Board and private power distribution companies were deliberately delayed by the AAP Government, leading VK Saxena to flag the issue.
The LG has called on Assembly Speaker Goel to ensure these reports are laid before the Delhi Legislative Assembly without further delay, underlining the urgency and the constitutional obligation involved.
