Patna : A report by the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG), tabled in the Bihar Assembly on Thursday, has raised serious questions over financial management in the state, revealing that utilisation certificates (UCs) for a staggering Rs 70,877.61 crore were not submitted by the government until March 31, 2024.
The report, covering the fiscal year 2023–24, also noted that Rs 9,205.76 crore in Detailed Contingent (DC) bills were pending, despite repeated reminders—of which Rs 7,120.02 crore relates to the previous financial year. The failure to furnish UCs, which confirm that allocated funds have been used for their intended purpose, has triggered concerns over transparency and accountability in public expenditure.
While Bihar has continued to post strong economic growth—14.47% in 2023–24, significantly above the national average of 9.6%—the report suggests that this has come with rising liabilities. The state’s total debt now stands at Rs 3.98 lakh crore, up 12.34% from the previous year, although still within permissible limits.
The state also fell short of meeting the fiscal targets recommended by the 15th Finance Commission, the CAG noted.
According to the report, Bihar’s economy remains heavily service-driven, with the tertiary sector contributing 57.06% to the gross state domestic product (GSDP), followed by the primary sector (24.23%) and the secondary sector (18.16%). Despite this, the majority of the population still depends on agriculture and allied activities.
On the fiscal side, revenue receipts rose by nearly 12%—an increase of Rs 20,659 crore—driven by a 9.87% growth in the state’s share of central taxes and a sharp 25.14% increase in non-tax revenues.
Yet, budget execution remained a concern. Out of the Rs 3.26 lakh crore allocated in the 2023–24 budget, only Rs 2.6 lakh crore (79.92%) was actually spent. The unspent balance of Rs 65,512 crore saw only 36.44% repatriated, reflecting persistent lapses in budgetary planning and implementation.
Committed expenditure—comprising salaries, pensions, and interest payments—continued to grow at an average annual rate of 8.86%, reaching Rs 70,282 crore in 2023–24.
