Maharashtra per capita debt has risen to Rs 21,125: CAG

MUMBAI: The per capita debt of Maharashtra rose to Rs 21,125 during 2014-15 resulting in state's outstanding debt to jump to Rs 3,19,746 crore for the same year, the CAG report tabled in the state legislature today said.

"The per capita debt increased from Rs 17,275.54 in 2010-11 to Rs 21,125.89 in 2014-15. The state's outstanding debt increased from Rs 2,20,950 crore in 2010-11 to Rs 3,19,746 crore in 2014-15," the report said.

There was cost overrun in several projects of Irrigation Development Corporations ( IDCs) under Water Resources Department, it said.

"The estimated cost of 515 ongoing irrigation projects was Rs 97,101.63 crore. Of these 515 projects, there was cost overrun in 401 projects amounting to Rs 44,061.81 crore i.e. an increase of more than two times the original cost," CAG said.

On the " financial management and budgetary control" front, the report said the excess expenditure increased from Rs 604.64 crore in 2013-14 to Rs 3817.72 crore in 2014-15.

The excess over provision occurred in 32 grants/ appropriation during the year and requires regularisation of the state legislature, it said.

All the departments should submit realistic budget estimates, keeping in view the trends of expenditure and the actual requirement of funds in order to avoid large savings/ excesses, CAG said.

All the departments should also monitor the expenditure against allocations, it said.