The Karnataka Tourism Department has issued a statement reaffirming its commitment to transparency, following a report that the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) had unearthed irregularities worth Rs 200 crore in the department.
Tourism Commissioner Akram Pasha, in a statement released on June 6, said that the audit process was still ongoing and that the department was cooperating fully with the auditors. He clarified that the report published by a leading daily on June 5, titled 'Tourism dept: CAG unearths Rs 200-cr irregularities', did not represent the final findings of the audit.
Audit Process Underway
Pasha emphasized that the audit was a routine exercise and that the department had provided all necessary documents and information to the audit team. He stated, "The audit process is still on, and we are committed to transparency. Any observations made during the audit will be addressed appropriately."
Response to Allegations
The commissioner's statement comes in response to the article which highlighted alleged financial mismanagement and irregularities in the tourism department. The department has denied any wrongdoing and has assured that all procedures were followed as per government norms.
The CAG audit is expected to be completed in the coming weeks, after which a detailed report will be submitted to the state government. The tourism department has promised to take corrective measures if any discrepancies are found.
