Bihar Govt Denies Rs 70,877 Crore Scam, Calls Pending UCs Routine Accounting

Patna : The Nitish Kumar-led Bihar government has categorically rejected allegations of a Rs 70,877 crore scam linked to the non-submission of Utilisation Certificates (UCs), asserting that the issue stems from a routine accounting process rather than any financial wrongdoing.

The clarification comes amid intense criticism from the opposition, which has seized upon findings in the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) report for the financial year 2023-24. The report, tabled during the recently concluded monsoon session of the Bihar Assembly by Deputy Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary, highlighted delays in the submission of UCs for funds allocated under various state-run schemes.

CAG auditors noted that the absence of timely certificates left the actual utilisation of large sums of money unverified, a gap the opposition has described as indicative of a “Rs 70,877 crore scam.”

At a press briefing on Tuesday, Principal Secretary of the Finance Department Anand Kishore sought to dispel these allegations. “This is neither embezzlement nor a scam. Pending UCs form part of a normal accounting process followed by all states and do not imply misappropriation of funds,” he stated.

Kishore explained that the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) of the Bihar Legislature will now examine the CAG report. The departments concerned will be required to justify the delays in their UC submissions before the PAC issues its final recommendations.

To bolster the government’s position, Kishore shared data showing that in 2022-23, UCs worth Rs 1,09,093 crore were successfully adjusted. Following the publication of the latest CAG report, UCs worth an additional Rs 51,750 crore have already been cleared, he said.

“This year, we have the lowest pendency of UCs in the past five years, reflecting better monitoring and compliance,” Kishore added.

The opposition has used the CAG’s findings to question the transparency and credibility of the ruling JD(U)-BJP coalition. However, the government’s explanation positions the pending certificates as a procedural matter that is under review rather than evidence of corruption.

As the issue heads to the PAC for a thorough probe, political tensions over financial accountability in Bihar are likely to persist. Whether the government’s assurances will quell the controversy remains to be seen.