Punjab Governor Banwarilal Purohit has spotlighted the Aam Aadmi Party government’s fiscal accountability. In a recent letter to Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, Purohit questioned the state’s diversion of capital receipts and its unapproved additional borrowing, which wasn’t used for capital assets.
He cited that the state borrowed Rs 33,886 crore in FY 2022-23, surpassing the sanctioned amount by over Rs 10,000 crore. Notably, the actual capital expenditure was reduced by over Rs 1,500 crore, suggesting borrowed funds weren’t effectively allocated. Purohit also referenced a variance between the CM’s claims and the Comptroller and Auditor General’s report on fiscal figures. The Governor urged borrowing to be directed towards capital asset creation and not populist agendas. He emphasised the need for fiscal discipline alongside welfare initiatives. The state government, in its defence, claims funds were invested in schools, clinics, and hospital upgrades.
