Only 8% central bodies file timely reports: CAG

NEW DELHI: Only around 8% of central autonomous bodies submit their reports for audit on time, representatives of Comptroller and Auditor General of India informed the parliamentary committee on Papers Laid on the Table in Lok Sabha on Monday during a meeting to discuss reasons for delays in presenting documents in Parliament.

There are at least 400 central autonomous bodies, which are independent under their terms of reference.

The officials from the government’s auditor said that “while 88% of the public sector undertakings submit their reports on time for audit, just 8% of centrally governed autonomous bodies do the same”, a member of the panel said. In 2020-21, the percentage of central autonomous bodies which submitted the report to CAG on time increased to 17%.

Led by Bahujan Samaj Party MP Ritesh Pandey, the panel called a meeting of representatives of CAG to discuss the reason for delay in placing the reports. Several government organisations said they are unable to lay the papers on time in Parliament on account of delays in the audit, HT learnt.

All ministries, departments, and autonomous government bodies have to lay their papers on the table of the House within nine months of the closure of the financial year, by December 31. If delayed, the standing committee examines the reasons.

According the documents presented to the panel, reviewed by HT, in 2019-20 just 8% central autonomous bodies and 88% PSUs submitted their documents to CAG on or before June 30. In 2020-21, the percentage of central autonomous bodies which submitted the report to CAG on time increased to 17%.