SC raps state, seeks affidavit in 2 weeks

The Supreme Court on Wednesday pulled up the Uttarakhand government for using funds meant for increasing green cover in the state to purchase iPhones, laptops, stationary and other inadmissible uses, terming it a "matter of serious concern" and ordering a response from the state chief secretary in two weeks.

- Abraham Thomas

NEW DELHI:

The irregularities came to light in a report submitted by the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) highlighting diversion of the Compensatory Afforestation Management and Planning Authority (CAMPA) funds made available to Uttarakhand State Compensatory Afforestation Fund (SCAF) under the state government for the period from April 2019 to March 31, 2022.

The report said, "At the divisional level, ₹13.86 crore were diverted/expended on inadmissible activities like state scheme - Harella, tiger safari work, renovation of existing buildings, expenses on personage visits, court cases, purchases of iPhones, laptops, fridges, coolers, stationary etc."