Tourism funds diverted to CITCO

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, November 27

While carrying out development works related to tourism projects in the city, the Audit Department has pointed out irregular diversion of funds to the tune of Rs 14 crore by the UT Tourism Department.

During the audit inspection of the Tourism Department for the year 2013-2014, the AG pointed out that contrary to the directions of the Union Tourism Ministry, the funds for the projects were allotted to the Tourism Department but the funds were credited with the accounts of the Chandigarh Industrial and Tourism Corporation (CITCO).

The ministry had released the funds to Tourism Department with the condition that the work would be executed through Engineering Department and a Monitoring Committee would be formed to provide feedback on the progress of the implementation of the project. But the funds were diverted to CITCO in violation of the guidelines.

The projects included development and upgradation of Sukhna Lake, eco-tourism park at Botanical Garden, new garden of conifer in Sector 52, promotion of night tourism, development of garden of palm and of a Japanese garden.