U'khand forest funds spent on iPhones: CAG

Funds meant for compensatory afforestation in Uttarakhand were diverted to buying iPhones, kitchen appliances, building renovation, even fighting court cases, the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) has said in its report.

- Neeraj Santoshi

DEHRADUN:

The CAG report for the year ended 31 March 2022 covers the period 2019-22 on the "Functioning of Compensatory Afforestation Fund Management and Planning Authority" (CAMPA) in Uttarakhand and was submitted in the state assembly on Thursday. CAMPA comes under the Union environment, forest and climate change ministry.

The report pointed out that "at the divisional level, ₹13.86 crore were diverted/expended on inadmissible activities. This included renovation of forest department buildings and purchases of iPhones and computers. The report does not provide a break-up.