The Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG) reported on September 28
GS3Economy · S&T · Environment · Security· Infrastructure (energy, ports, roads, railways)· Prelims + Mains·
Land governance and audit oversight: a GS3 case study on resource mismanagement and industrial allotment.
Why in news
The Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG) reported that thousands of acres of land allotted for industries in Odisha were unutilised or misused between 1981 and 2021.
Background
The CAG report highlights that 12,393.651 acres of land allotted for industries in Odisha were unutilised or misused between 1981 and 2021. It also identified 7,035.471 acres of acquired private lands left unused and noted encroachments on forestland by entities including the Kalinga Institute of Social Sciences (KISS).
Facts for Prelims
- BodyCAG: Comptroller and Auditor General of India
- Fact12,393.651 acres of land allotted for industries in Odisha were unutilised or misused between 1981 and 2021
- Fact7,035.471 acres of acquired private lands were unused despite stipulated periods
- PlaceOdisha
Prelims practice question
With reference to the CAG report on land allotment in Odisha, consider the following statements:
- Over 7,000 acres of acquired private lands remained unused despite stipulated periods.
- The CAG reported that 15,000 acres of industrial land were misused between 1981 and 2021.
- A total of 12,393.651 acres of land allotted for industries were unutilised or misused.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
- (a)2 only
- (b)3 only
- (c)1 and 3 only
- (d)1, 2 and 3
Show answer
Answer: (c) 1 and 3 only — Statements 1 and 3 are correct. Statement 2 is incorrect: The report specifies 12,393.651 acres were unutilised or misused.
For Mains
Q. Discuss the challenges in industrial land management and the importance of audit mechanisms in ensuring the optimal utilization of state resources.
Dimensions to cover in your answer
- Monitoring gap: Lack of periodic verification of land usage by industrial and educational entities
- Resource leakage: Opportunity cost of idle land preventing industrial growth and infrastructure development
- Regulatory oversight: Weak enforcement against forestland encroachments by large-scale institutions
Keywords: Audit oversight · Land utilization · Resource mismanagement · Encroachment · Industrial infrastructure
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