Delhi HC stays CAG audit of Ajmer Sharif dargah's accounts
New Delhi, May 22 (PTI): The Delhi High Court has stayed the Comptroller and Auditor General's (CAG) proposed audit of Ajmer Sharif dargah's accounts.
Justice Sachin Datta granted the interim stay on the pleas of Anjuman Moinia Fakhria Chishtiya Khuddam Khwaja Sahib Syedzadgan Dargah Sharif, Ajmer in Rajasthan, and another registered society.
The court, in its May 14 order, found credibility in the petitioners' contention that the requirements under Section 20 of the CAG Act were not applied or satisfied in the case.
The provision deals with the audit of accounts of certain authorities or bodies.
"It is also informed by the counsel appearing for CAG that the audit of the petitioner has not yet commenced even thereafter... as an interim measure, it is directed that till the next date of hearing, no further steps shall be taken by the CAG pursuant to communication dated January 30, 2025," the order, made available on May 21, said.
The court then posted the matter on July 28.
CAG opposed the pleas challenging its process of auditing the accounts of the dargah, saying it duly followed the procedure of the law.
The court was hearing the pleas alleging unlawful search or visit of CAG officials in the office premises of the petitioners without notice or information which was contrary to the provisions of the Comptroller and Auditor General's (Duties, Powers and Conditions of Service) Act, 1971 and the Societies Registration Act, 1860.
CAG in its reply said the Ministry of Minority Affairs on March 14, 2024 already informed the petitioner that to improve the management of dargah affairs the central authority proposed an audit and provided an opportunity to make a representation against such audit.
"It is a matter of record that representation was duly made by the petitioner wherein they submitted their objections to the proposed audit by the CAG and the same grounds as are being envisaged in this petition were mentioned therein. The respondent 1 (Centre) vide letter dated October 17, 2024 disposed of the objections of the petitioner and thus the mandate of the Act has been duly followed," it said.
CAG said the authorisation of President of India has been received and it was informed to the CAG by the Ministry of Finance through a January 30 this year letter.
The petitioners, however, argued the mandatory statutory procedure for such audits, as set out in the CAG Act, stipulates that the ministry concerned should send a communication to CAG.
It said the communication should seek to have the petitioner society audited by CAG, the terms and conditions based on which the audit should be conducted, be agreed upon between CAG and the ministry concerned, and subsequently the terms and conditions ought to be served on the petitioner, following which it is entitled to make a representation to ministry concerned.
It also requires, first, President's or Governor's assent before the terms of audit are agreed to.
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CM Siddaramaiah warns of possible rainfall dip, stresses uninterrupted drinking water supply
Bengaluru (PTI): Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Saturday said there is a possibility of a five per cent decrease in rainfall this year and asked officials to ensure that drinking water supply is not affected.
The CM gave these instructions at a meeting of additional chief secretaries, principal secretaries, and secretaries of all departments held at Vidhana Soudha.
“There is a possibility of a five per cent decrease in rainfall this year. District in-charge secretaries should constantly monitor the drinking water situation in their districts. Meetings should be held with deputy commissioners and zilla panchayat chief executive officers in this regard,” Siddaramaiah said.
“It is the responsibility of the respective secretaries to resolve the problems of the districts under their jurisdiction. Drinking water supply should not be affected for any reason,” his office quoted him as saying in a statement.
Pointing out that B R Ambedkar had warned against officials appeasing politicians, as it could lead to dictatorship, the CM asked officials to work within the framework of the law.
“Give suggestions to ministers within the scope of the law. Bringing a good name to the government depends on the work of the secretaries,” he said, adding that the administration should be made more agile.
Siddaramaiah said the role of departmental secretaries is crucial for the proper functioning of the state administration, as recognised in the Constitution. “It is the duty of all secretaries to act in accordance with the Constitution. They should not do anything against it,” he said.
Referring to Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, India’s first Home Minister, Siddaramaiah said Patel had emphasised in the constituent assembly that secretaries should fearlessly and independently convey their views to ministers and not hesitate to speak the truth, even if it displeases them.
He urged senior officials to express their opinions fearlessly, independently, and truthfully.
The CM said implementing budget announcements is the responsibility of officials, noting that 15 announcements from last year’s budget are yet to be implemented. “Who is responsible for this?” he asked.
The government made a total of 565 announcements in this year’s budget, including 218 new ones, he said, adding, “It is the responsibility of officials to implement all budget announcements within the same year. They should not remain unimplemented for any reason. Bring any practical difficulties in implementation directly to my notice or that of the chief secretary.”
Out of the announcements in the 2026-27 budget, government orders have been issued for only five, he said.
“All government orders should be implemented, and execution should begin by May; otherwise, the respective secretaries will be held responsible.”
Siddaramaiah said delays in addressing public grievances could erode people’s trust in the government.
“This should not be allowed. Similarly, applications received under Sakala (a government initiative to guarantee services to citizens within a stipulated time) should be disposed of on time.”
Stating that immediate steps should be taken to fill vacant sanctioned posts, he said the finance department has approved the filling of 24,300 posts.
“There are 32,132 posts pending in cadres related to Kalyana Karnataka, and the recruitment process has not yet begun. The revision of cadre and recruitment rules is pending in some departments and should be completed at the earliest,” he said.
Under various centrally sponsored programmes, the state government released its share of Rs 22,768 crore in 2025–26, while the Centre released Rs 16,729 crore. Siddaramaiah said Rs 11,367 crore is still pending from the Centre.
He also directed officials to ensure that grants are utilised within the stipulated period.
Highlighting that contracts worth up to Rs 2 crore have been reserved for Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe contractors, the chief minister said such reservations should not be bypassed by bundling works into larger packages.
“All works should be completed within the stipulated time. Construction costs should not escalate due to delays,” he added.
The chief minister also launched the new “Karnataka Progress Portal” and a handbook related to monitoring schemes, approvals, and inter-departmental coordination.
