CPI urges Puducherry Assembly Speaker to convene Public Accounts Committee meetings

A.M. Saleem. File | Photo Credit: S.S. Kumar The Communist Party of India (CPI) has urged the Speaker of the Puducherry Legislative Assembly to convene regular meetings of the Public Accounts Committee and the Estimates Committee to scrutinise financial lapses flagged in the Comptroller and Auditor General of India’s report.In a press statement, CPI Puducherry state secretary A.M. Saleem said the CAG report for the financial year ending 2025 had pointed to shortcomings in the implementation of government schemes and financial management across departments.According to him, ₹1,041.79 crore allotted for various schemes remained unutilised and the government had borrowed funds at higher interest rates while allowing scheme funds to remain idle in bank deposits that earned lower interest.The report, meant to examine the fiscal sustainability, financial performance and effective use of budget allocations approved by the Assembly, was usually tabled on the final day of a session without adequate discussion. The Principal Accountant General had also flagged the alleged use of borrowed funds for day-to-day expenditure instead of welfare schemes and capital works, warning that this could have serious future consequences.“When common people are facing hardships due to rise in electricity charges, the misappropriation of ₹27 crore in electricity department is unacceptable and those responsible should be subjected to disciplinary action. Further, enquiries of 57 cases pertaining to misappropriation and corruptions in various department should be expedited at the earliest and due action of recovery should be taken,” he said.Referring to drinking-water scarcity and intrusion of saline water in ground water aquifers, Mr. Saleem said it was alarming that 11 overhead and underground water tanks under Commune Panchayats had reportedly not been cleaned for years. He sought action against the Commissioners of Commune Panchayats and other officials concerned.The party also demanded groundwater-conservation schemes and the creation of a State Quality Check Unit to address potable-water scarcity and saline-water intrusion. Besides, the ruling NR Congress-BJP government should take responsibility for officials allegedly withholding funds earmarked for capital expenditure and diverting them for other purposes despite the government citing a financial crunch. Published - September 03, 2026 12:36 pm IST