Corporation fails to produce files for audit

Thiruvananthapuram: The local fund audit department has raised an objection to expenditure of over Rs 23 crore after the city corporation failed to furnish files related to the implementation of a project. The report for 2022-23 has also flagged concerns against senior officials including corporation secretary and the additional secretary for failure in producing documents.
The audit report noted that request for files for audit was placed as per the relevant provisions of the Local Fund Audit Act.If the corporation fails to furnish the required files and documents for audit, it would be assumed that there was no such file or document and the expenditure in projects for which files were not produced would not be cleared, said the report.
The local fund audit department has raised an objection for an amount of Rs 5.42 crore, for projects which were executed with the secretary as the implementing officer. They include corporation’s contribution for the conduct of an international conclave, land purchase for construction of new anganwadis and construction of secretariat building for the district planning committee.
Audit report also raised objections against 21 projects worth Rs 23.89 crore implemented under the additional secretary. The report noted that the files had to be produced or else it would be fixed as the liability on the part of the implementing official for further action.
Files related to 707 schemes done at Rs 101 crore by the engineering wing were also not produced for audit.
As per section 12 of Kerala Municipality (Manner of Inspection and Audit System) Rules, 1997, the secretary shall submit all the records, registers and accounts required in writing by the auditor. If the secretary fails to submit any records or accounts, it shall be deemed that such record or account is not in existence and may arrive at a conclusion accordingly. The secretary and the employees concerned shall have the responsibility for removing the references that may occur in the audit report regarding the objection or disallowance of expenditure that may be brought to notice at the time of audit, by producing records, if available, at the time of audit itself.
It is not the first time that the civic body has come under flak for poor upkeep of files. The audit report had mentioned an instance at Attipra zonal office where 13 files related to regularisation of unauthorised buildings were missing.