Bhubaneswar: The Odisha government has ordered a special audit into alleged irregularities in the procurement and customisation of 51 all-terrain vehicles (ATVs) purchased for forest field operations at a total cost of ₹12.35 crore.
The directive was issued by Forest, Environment and Climate Change Minister Ganesh Ram Singhkhuntia, who said the audit would be conducted by the Special Audit Team of the Accountant General (A&E), Odisha. The audit will focus on the office of the Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (Wildlife).
According to official records, the vehicles were procured at a cost of ₹7.1 crore, while an additional ₹5.25 crore was spent on their customisation. The minister said the audit would closely examine the entire procurement and modification process to ascertain whether there was any unnecessary or irregular expenditure.
“In view of the alleged irregularities in the procurement and customisation of vehicles for use by field forest officers, a special audit will be conducted. The audit team will examine whether the expenditure incurred was justified,” Singhkhuntia said.
He added that strict action would be taken against anyone found responsible for irregularities in the process.
On December 18, the minister also directed the Additional Chief Secretary of the Forest, Environment and Climate Change Department to treat the matter as “most urgent” and ensure the immediate commencement of the special audit.
