What Went Wrong: The Audit Files
The Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) is India's top auditor. They check every rupee spent. In the last 5 years, they found many cases of waste, broken rules, and missing money in Tamil Nadu.
Major Findings
Missing Toll Revenue
Audit found that toll collection data was manipulated, leading to a loss of ₹124 crore in state highways.
Old Bus Safety
Over 40% of government buses are past their retirement age, but still running, risking passenger lives.
Idle Equipment
Medical equipment worth ₹85 crore was found lying in boxes for 3+ years in government hospitals because rooms weren't ready.
Contractor Overpayment
₹42 crore extra was paid to civil contractors because of 'wrong calculations' in road projects.
Smart City Delays
Many projects in Chennai and Madurai Smart Cities were 'completed' on paper but not usable on the ground.
Why This Happens
Lack of Accountability: Officers who waste money are rarely punished.
Poor Planning: Projects start before checking if land or funds are fully ready.
Weak Digital Tracking: Paper files make it easy to hide mistakes or cheating.
Audit reports are like a diagnostic test for the state. If the government doesn't fix the 'diseases' found in these reports, the waste will keep happening every year.