Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority is apparently turning a
blind eye towards its annual auditing and has not submitted files
despite several reminders. The audit department has, however, brought
out several irregularities in the functioning of the nodal planning
agency.

The audit report, which was tabled in the assembly on
Monday, highlights irregularities in filling up of posts, non-collection
of infrastructure and amenities charges, development fee and premium
charges besides non-submission of suit register for audit.

The
report states that 786 audit objections involving `694.68 crore is
pending settlement at the close of audit as on March 2011.

The
report also states that despite several reminders to the finance and the
accounts department, they did not produce it for verification.

As per the report, deposits and advances of `111.62 crore and `108.92 crore were pending, respectively at the end of 2011-12.

This
was one of the reasons resulting in the government demanding an action
taken report and status report on the pending audit paras with
explanatory notes and inspection report to be filed within this week.

The
report also highlights that CMDA has filled several temporary posts
without any approval from the government. Even the age limit and
qualifications were ignored in the appointment of assistant engineers
and planning assistant Grade I in CMDA.

As per the CMDA service
regulations, the age limit for appointment of assistant engineer is
below 30 years but there were candidates above 30 and some did not have
required qualifications.

The report also highlights that CMDA
officials were sanctioned long-term loans and advances but the recovery
never finds a mention in the service register.