What happened in West Bengal (CAG reports tabled; special session announced)
The BJP-led West Bengal government tabled 28 long-pending Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) reports in the State Assembly. The government announced a special session to examine these reports. The government stated that the previous Trinamool Congress (TMC) dispensation’s non-placement of CAG reports in the House amounted to a “constitutional lapse”.
Finance Minister Swapan Dasgupta said the CAG reports would provide a “true picture” of the state’s finances and would explain why West Bengal’s debt burden exceeded ₹8 lakh crore. He also argued that it is the responsibility of the state government to bring shortcomings before the public and referred to earlier failure to present CAG reports.
What the CAG reports allegedly flagged (Swasthya Sathi; Cyclone Amphan relief and restoration)
The CAG reports allegedly flagged deficiencies in implementing the Swasthya Sathi health insurance scheme. The reported audit concerns included alleged excess payments to empanelled private hospitals.