CAG report alleges irregularities in Bengal Amphan relief
The Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) has flagged serious irregularities in the West Bengal government's post-Cyclone Amphan relief and restoration works, alleging that damage assessments
The Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) has flagged serious irregularities in the West Bengal government's post-Cyclone Amphan relief and restoration works, alleging that damage assessments were exaggerated, relief payments were made multiple times to thousands of beneficiaries and assistance was disbursed using beneficiary lists prepared for an earlier cyclone. In its compliance audit report on post-Amphan relief and restoration works, tabled in the Assembly on Saturday (July 25, 2026), the CAG said the State's assessment of damages submitted for seeking central assistance was "exaggerated and unrealistically high" and was not supported by adequate evidence of actual losses. The report was among 28 CAG reports tabled in the Assembly after a gap of four years. Super cyclonic storm Amphan made landfall on May 20, 2020, affecting 16 districts of West Bengal.
The cyclone impacted nearly 60% of the state's population, claimed 99 lives and caused extensive damage to houses, agriculture, fisheries, forests, power infrastructure, irrigation canals, health facilities and industries. The State government had sought ₹35,018 crore from the Disaster Response Fund (NDRF), against which the Centre recommended assistance of ₹2,707.77 crore, subject to adjustment of 50% of the balance available in the State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF) account as on March 31 of the preceding financial year. According to the audit report, the damage assessment prepared by the state's Disaster Management and Civil Defence Department could not be verified because district-wise assessment reports were not made available to audit. The CAG also pointed to inconsistencies in the distribution of house-building grants.
It noted that up to June 2020, all households with fully or partially damaged houses received ₹20,000 each. However, after June 2020, beneficiaries with fully damaged houses continued to receive ₹20,000, while those with partially damaged houses received ₹25,000 each. The audit said no records explaining the rationale behind the revised rates were made available. The report further revealed that house-building grants were credited more than once to the bank accounts of 9,226 beneficiaries, involving ₹18.07 crore. "This indicated serious deficiencies in the process of selection of beneficiaries and absence of adequate checks and balances before Direct Benefit Transfer to prevent such multiple payments," the CAG said. The audit also found mismatches between account numbers mentioned in beneficiary lists and those appearing in bank transaction records in South 24 Parganas, Nadia, Paschim Medinipur and Purba Medinipur districts.
The BriefWire