The Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) report presented in the Bihar Legislative Assembly has highlighted significant financial concerns regarding state expenditure. Finance Minister Bijendra Prasad Yadav tabled this report on February 26, 2026. The data reveals that Utilisation Certificates (UCs) for over ₹92,000 crore are pending across various state departments as of March 2025. This massive backlog raises questions about how public funds are being managed and utilized in the state.
Which departments have the highest pending amount?
The report indicates that a total of 62,632 Utilisation Certificates worth ₹92,132.75 crore have not been submitted. This amount has increased significantly from the previous year. The CAG observed that failing to submit these certificates creates a high risk of fund diversion or misuse. The government has reportedly decided to stop releasing further funds to defaulting departments until they clear their previous records.
The following table shows the major departments with the highest pending amounts:
| Department Name | Pending Amount (₹ Crore) |
|---|---|
| Panchayati Raj | 28,154 |
| Education Department | 12,623 |
| Urban Development | 11,065 |
| Rural Development | 7,800 |
What irregularities were found in government schemes?
Apart from pending certificates, the audit exposed serious lapses in the implementation of welfare schemes. In the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana-Gramin (PMAY-G), inspectors found that houses were sanctioned to minors who are not eligible for the scheme. Furthermore, geo-tagging data showed some houses were located in Delhi and Jharkhand instead of the designated villages in Bihar.
Other key irregularities include:
- Transport Department: About 90% of vehicles checked were issued fitness certificates despite violating standard procedures.
- Ayushman Bharat: Only 41% of target beneficiaries were verified, and 22% of listed hospitals were found inactive.
- Disaster Management: Grants worth ₹21.48 crore were given to districts that were not officially declared flood-affected.
How have the leaders reacted to the report?
The findings have sparked a political debate in the state. Leader of Opposition Tejashwi Yadav criticized the government, terming the situation a massive theft due to unverified spending. He compared the scale of these irregularities to past financial scams in the region.
On the other hand, the state government is taking steps to address the issue. The Finance Minister presented the facts in the assembly, and instructions are being issued to strict compliance. The Mines and Geology Department also faced scrutiny for failing to provide details on dues pending for more than five years.
