Bhubaneswar, Sep 24: The Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG) suspected misappropriation of government funds of Rs 148.75 crore due to divergence of funds from bank accounts operated by engineers in Integrated Tribal Development Agencies (ITDAs) in Odisha during the previous BJD government, official sources said on Wednesday.

The CAG conducted a compliance audit of 11 of 22 ITDAs in the state covering the period from financial year 2018-19 to 2022-23 and mentioned its findings in its compliance audit report (civil), which was laid before the Odisha Assembly today.

Massive Corruption Under Previous BJD Govt
The audit, which covered half of the state’s 22 ITDAs, exposes deep-rooted financial irregularities during the tenure of the previous BJD-led government. The agencies, tasked with implementing socio-economic schemes for tribal communities, transferred Rs621.79 crore to 71 bank accounts for departmental works. Shockingly, 67 of these accounts showed irrelevant transactions amounting to Rs148.75 crore.

Junior and Assistant Engineers reportedly used these accounts for personal expenses such as ATM withdrawals, mobile recharges, insurance premiums, and UPI payments—raising serious concerns over accountability and oversight.

Violations of Financial Norms and Tender Rules
The CAG report also highlighted that none of the audited ITDAs had prepared annual accounts, violating the Societies Registration Act, 1860. This lapse prevented scrutiny of losses and inefficiencies. Moreover, infrastructural works were executed by contractors who were not selected through open tenders, breaching the Odisha Public Works Department (OPWD) Code.

Recommendations for Accountability
The CAG has urged the SC, ST Development Department to immediately halt the irregular practice of engineers operating bank accounts and enforce strict adherence to the OPWD Code. It also recommended a comprehensive review of all transactions and fixing responsibility on officials involved in the suspected misappropriation.

This revelation has sparked demands for a deeper probe into systemic corruption and misuse of tribal welfare funds under the previous BJD government.