Hyderabad: The Comptroller and Auditor General of India has rapped the GHMC for failing to initiate action against unauthorised hoardings in the city. In its report on the local bodies, the CAG said that the audit of fuel consumption and fleet of vehicles with the GHMC revealed that there was no supporting evidence for payment of Rs 86.66 lakh towards fuel charges for vehicles to lift and transport garbage.

“Although the GHMC is vested with the powers to accord, regulate and collect fee, as approved by the Corporation, for permissions granted or renewed to erect/exhibit/fix/retain the sky-sign or advertisement on any post, pole, standard frame or any land, building, wall, hoarding and so on, it had not framed any specific policy with regard to selection of sites to erect advertisement hoardings/ sky signs. As a result, it has not initiated adequate action for removal of unauthorised hoardings/advertisement boards erected in the city, leading to leakage of revenue,” the CAG noted.

The CAG further stated, “The GHMC is in possession of 773 vehicles, of which 442 vehicles were used for collecting, lifting and transporting garbage. The remaining vehicles
are used for other purposes like transporting water, dog van, ambulance. During 2012-14, GHMC incurred Rs 162.49 crore towards fuel charges, repairs and maintenance of heavy vehicles. The records of fuel consumption were test checked in the audit during January-March 2014, which revealed that there was no supporting evidence for payment of Rs 86.66 lakh.”