2023-24 AUDIT REPORT

Summary of the audit report for Vythiri Grama Panchayat for the financial year 2023-2024:
1. General Information
  • Institution: Vythiri Grama Panchayat, Wayanad District
  • Audit Period: November 18, 2024, to November 27, 2024
  • Audit Office: District Audit Office, Wayanad (Kerala State Audit Department)
  • President: Mr. Vijesh A. P.
  • Secretary: Mr. Sajeev K. S. (from July 29, 2023)
2. Finance and Budget
  • Budget Figures:
    • Expected Receipts: ₹33.43 crore | Actual Receipts: ₹16.33 crore
    • Expected Expenditure: ₹33.63 crore | Actual Expenditure: ₹16.32 crore
    • Discrepancies were noted between the opening balance in the budget and the closing balance of the previous year.
  • Financial Analysis (Receipt & Payment):
    • Total Receipts (Including Opening Balance): ₹12.88 crore
    • Total Expenditure: ₹8.59 crore
    • Closing Balance: ₹4.29 crore
3. Major Audit Findings and Irregularities
  • Accounting Shortfalls & Record Discrepancies:
    • Lack of Special Bank Accounts: Separate bank accounts were not maintained for special-purpose grants (Awards, WGDP, Vimukthi Grant, etc.).
    • Errors in Receipt/Bank Entries: An amount of ₹83,266 directly credited to the bank was not accounted for in the books. Additionally, certain deposited cheques totaling over ₹4.19 lakh have not been credited to the bank even after years.
    • Bank Reconciliation: Differences exist between the bank book balance and the balance in the annual accounts.
    • Unadjusted Advances: Advances given to various officials were not adjusted in a time-bound manner. The audit directed that amounts unadjusted after 3 months be recovered with 18% interest.
    • Unlisted Liabilities: Outstanding liabilities worth ₹78.68 lakh for completed projects were omitted from the annual balance sheet.
  • Revenue Loss & Tax Irregularities:
    • Errors in Property Tax Assessment: Errors in building classification and plinth area rates resulted in a revenue loss of ₹34,176 in property tax.
    • Discrepancies exist between the DCB (Demand Collection Balance) figures and the Annual Financial Statement.
    • Unlicensed Resorts: Around 9 resorts/establishments operating within the Panchayat limits without a valid license were identified. Action must be taken to collect license fees from them.
  • Project Execution:
    • Out of 270 approved projects, only 177 were fully or partially implemented (65.56% completion rate). 93 projects were not implemented at all.
    • Delays and inefficiencies were highlighted in public works and drinking water schemes.
4. Immediate Next Steps
  • A special meeting of the governing body must be convened within one month of receiving the audit report to discuss the findings and publish them for public awareness.
  • A rectification reply addressing all audit objections and observations must be submitted to the Audit Office within two months.

  • 2023-24 AUDIT REPORT