Noida Authority resisting CAG audit despite UP govt’s insistence

Noida Authority seems to be resisting a bid by the UP state government to submit itself to CAG. The body, which oversees housing projects in the NCR area, claims that it is not subject to CAG auditing as it is an autonomous body and does not get funding from the state or Centre.

Apart from carrying out checks on procedures, utilisation of funds and progress of projects, the CAG audit may also scrutinise the terms of contracts, agencies, and contractors to whom the projects have been awarded.

The issue of CAG auditing has become a major issue for not just the UP government, but also the Centre. During the assembly poll campaign, Prime Minister Modi had raised the issue of large scale corruption in Ghaziabad Development Authority (GDA). The CAG has already started auditing of the GDA.

After GDA, the government is most likely to announce auditing of three development authorities in Gautam Budh Nagar. A similar petition is also pending in the Allahabad High court demanding CAG auditing of Noida Authority.

It is pertinent to point out here that NGOs and local residents have been demanding an audit of the Noida Authority for some time now. Scams involving the Authority, and the suspension …read more