The audit department has blocked the expenditure of Rs 61.75 crore incurred by the Kochi corporation authorities for biomining and clearing the waste piled up at the solid waste plant premises in Brahmapuram. The amount, spent during the 2024–25 financial year, was held up during an audit inspection on the grounds that adequate details were not provided by the corporation officials.
In addition to the Finance Commission grant, the Swachh Bharat Mission grant was also utilized for biomining. The annual financial statement indicated that Rs 61.75 crore was spent on the project in 2024–25. Although the audit department sought details regarding this expenditure, the corporation authorities could not provide them initially. Consequently, the 2024–25 audit report stated that approval could not be granted for this expenditure.
However, sources from the Kochi corporation later confirmed that the details of the expenditure were subsequently submitted to the audit wing, and approval was granted. The auditors also criticized the laxity on the part of corporation authorities in taking appropriate action in cheque bouncing cases. Cheques worth Rs 1.83 crore, receivable as revenue income under various heads of the corporation, bounced due to insufficient funds in the bank accounts of the payees during 2024–25.
The audit report criticizes that no information was provided regarding follow-up action taken against those who cheated the corporation or about the recovery of the amounts. The auditors pointed out that the corporation authorities should have taken steps, including legal recourse, against the culprits. Additionally, the auditors identified flaws in the implementation of various other projects and the inefficient use of funds.
