An audit report by the Auditor General for 2023-24 revealed that Punjab withheld over 20 billion rupees meant for farmers’ development. The report states this is a clear violation of the Development Surcharge Rules of 1964, which mandate proper use of these funds for agricultural projects.
The Finance Department failed to release these funds to District Coordination Officers responsible for managing local development projects. As a result, essential agricultural and rural development initiatives at the district level faced severe delays and setbacks.
The audit also found irregular payments made by district accounts officers without proper authorization. Specifically, Faisalabad’s officer disbursed 5.52 million rupees, and Vehari’s officer paid 2.86 million rupees illegally. These actions raised concerns about misuse of public funds.
Additionally, the report noted that the budget did not include the required 2% recovery charges on collections, which violates financial regulations. This omission adds to the lack of transparency and proper financial management of the farmers’ fund.
The Auditor General recommended immediate release of the withheld funds to district authorities. It also called for a detailed investigation into illegal payments and urged strict action against those responsible. Proper fund management is essential to support farmers and boost Punjab’s agricultural growth.