CAG raps Bhandari and Vora for misusing funds

Lucknow, July 19: The Comptroller and Auditor General of India CAG has criticised two former Uttar Pradesh Governors Romesh Bhandari an...

Lucknow, July 19: The Comptroller and Auditor General of India CAG has criticised two former Uttar Pradesh Governors Romesh Bhandari and Motilal Vora for 8220;grossly misusing8221; funds on their establishments when the state was under President8217;s rule from 1995 to 1996.

8220;There has been mismanagement of the state contingency fund during the period,8221; the CAG said in its 1996-97 report submitted to the state government recently.

It said 8220;a huge amount of Rs 3.38 crore8221; was withdrawn from the 8220;state contingency funds8221; during 1995-96 to meet various expenses made on items and on upkeep of Raj Bhawans at Lucknow and Nainital.

The funds were specifically drawn for billiards room8217;, blue room8217;, boat house8217;, swimming pool8217; and other construction works from the state contingency funds in gross violation of the rules in such cases, the report said.

An amount of Rs 2.50 lakh was sanctioned for sending Kumudesh Bhandari, wife of Romesh Bhandari, for medical treatment abroad, though there was no suchprovision under the rules, it said.

Rules were relaxed to allow Bhandari to travel abroad for treatment of 8220;thyroid gland8221; though the ailment did not figure in the schedule of diseases meant for sending a patient abroad, the CAG said.

The expenses on air travel, which alone accounted for Rs 80,000 were not permissible under the rules, it said.

Story continues below this ad

Similarly Rs 17.13 lakh was withdrawn for purchasing a car, a gypsy and a bullet proof vehicle for the Governor, the report said adding it was a gross irregularity.

A sum of Rs 1.23 crore was drawn during 1995-96 against Rs 21.28 lakh annually meant for furnishing and tour purposes. Expenditures were also made on setting up fountains, providing fire detection and alarm system, the report pointed out.