Financial irregularities worth Rs 200 crore revealed in the audit report of Ayodhya Municipal Corporation have put the state government in the dock of accountability. Even though the Mayor has assured to give point-wise reply to all the audit objections and punish the guilty officials if any deficiencies are found, the matter has now become a major debate point in UP politics.
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An audit report on the loss of about Rs 200 crore to the Uttar Pradesh government due to alleged irregularities in the Ayodhya Municipal Corporation has triggered a round of political allegations and counter-allegations in the state. Officials said a recent audit report of the Deputy Director of the Local Fund Audit Department of Ayodhya division for the financial year 2023-24 has revealed alleged financial irregularities in the Ayodhya Municipal Corporation and resulting alleged loss of about Rs 200 crore to the state government.
The audit report points out irregularities, including misuse of state grants, budget abuses, irregular payments to various departments and even payments to a blacklisted company. According to officials, the report has been sent to the Urban Development Secretary, Accountant General and top officials of Ayodhya, including Divisional Commissioner Rajesh Kumar. He has sent the report to Municipal Commissioner Jayendra Kumar for action.
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Meanwhile, Ayodhya Mayor Girish Pati Tripathi, responding to the allegations, said that the municipal corporation will resolve the audit objections in a timely manner. He confirmed that the department is preparing point-wise responses to all the objections and assured that “if any lapse is found, the erring officers will be punished.”
Samajwadi Party national spokesperson and former minister Pawan Pandey, in a press conference, accused the mayor of large-scale corruption. Pandey alleged that the questionable expenses mentioned in the audit were incurred during the Ram Mandir consecration ceremony held in January 2024.
Mayor Tripathi hit back at the Samajwadi Party, calling the corruption allegations “baseless and prejudiced”. He accused the SP of being unhappy with the development of Ayodhya and claimed that a conspiracy was being hatched to tarnish his “spotless image”.
PTI Information