Audit reveals BOAT Mumbai diverted ₹17.3 cr SC/ST grant to pay General quota stipend

The Board of Apprenticeship Training (BOAT) in Mumbai misappropriated ₹17.34 crore designated for Scheduled Caste (SC) and Scheduled Tribe (ST) apprentices, using the funds instead to pay stipends to General-category candidates. This finding comes from a report by the Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG).

The CAG's report on central autonomous bodies, tabled in Parliament, detailed financial and administrative irregularities across various institutions under the education ministry. For the period 2020-21 to 2022-23, BOAT Mumbai engaged 142,393 apprentices. While separate grants were received for SC, ST, and General apprentices, the audit revealed a substantial shortfall: 25% fewer SC apprentices and 72% fewer ST apprentices were engaged than required.

Instead of utilizing the unspent SC/ST funds for their intended purpose or seeking necessary approvals, BOAT Mumbai diverted them to the General category. The CAG report also flagged other issues, such as the National Testing Agency (NTA) incurring ₹54.24 lakh in avoidable penal interest due to delayed Tax Deducted at Source (TDS) deposits over three financial years. Deficiencies in accreditation and technology at the National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC), infructuous expenditure of ₹23.57 crore by IGNOU's Gyan Vani network, and procurement irregularities totaling ₹8.16 crore at the Central University of Tamil Nadu were also noted.

Further lapses were identified at IIM Rohtak, including governance, financial, procurement, and human resource issues. The institute's corpus fund was overstated by ₹267.45 crore, and ₹88.64 lakh was paid in salaries to 10 individuals without complete recruitment records. These findings underscore systemic issues in the management and allocation of funds within educational and training bodies.