Auditors block expenditure on biomining

Kochi: The audit department blocked the expenditure of Rs 61.75 crore spent by Kochi corporation authorities for biomining and clearing the waste piled up at the solid waste plant premises at Brahmapuram. The amount spent in 2024–25 financial year was held up during the audit inspection on the grounds that adequate details were not provided by the corporation officials.

In addition to the Finance Commission grant, Swachh Bharat Mission grant was also utilised for biomining. The annual financial statement mentioned that Rs 61.75 crore was spent on the project in 2024–25. Though the officials with the audit department sought details regarding this, the corporation authorities couldn’t provide them.

Following this, the 2024–25 audit report stated that approval could not be granted for this expenditure.

At the same time, the sources with Kochi corporation said the details of the expenditure were later submitted to the audit wing and approval was granted.

The auditors also criticised the laxity on part of corporation authorities in taking appropriate action in cheque bouncing cases. Cheques worth Rs 1.83 crore, receivable as revenue income under various heads of the corporation, bounced due to insufficient funds in the bank accounts of the payees. This is the figure for 2024–25.

The audit report criticises that no information was provided regarding follow-up action taken against those who cheated the corporation, or about recovery of the amounts.

The corporation authorities should have taken steps, including legal recourse, against culprits, the auditors pointed out. The auditors also identified flaws in the implementation of various other projects and using funds in an inefficient manner.