Odisha’s rural work does not have adequate photographic evidence, says a draft audit report

Over 90% of works executed by Odisha’s Rural Development Department had either no photographic evidence or only minimal photographic evidence defeating objective of real time monitoring, says a draft audit report.

According to draft audit titled “Data Led Compliance Audit on Rural Works” shared with Rural Development department, in 2013 it was decided that photographs of all original road, bridge, building (costing more than ₹25 lakh) and pipe water supply works should be uploaded in Works and Accounts Management Information System (WAMIS) every month, irrespective of the stage of execution.

In November 2013, the department further mandated uploading of geo-tagged photographs of all works to facilitate effective monitoring.

“Audit analysed 25,038 works executed in the selected 12 divisions during 2019- 2026. Of these, 13,083 works (52.25%) had no photograph and 9,723 works (38.83%) had only one or two photographs. Thus 22,806 works (91.09%) had either no photographic evidence or only minimal photographic evidence,” finds the audit.

“Test-check of high-value works further identified 17 contracts aggregating ₹122.66 crore with inadequate photographic documentation while 14 had only one or two photographs and three works costing ₹21.21 crore had none,” the draft audit further points out.

According to draft report, audit also observed that several road works spanning overlapping chainages could not be effectively verified as photographs were either unavailable or of poor quality.

“Many uploaded images were blurred, dark, unclear, lacked visible geo-tag details or were taken from inappropriate angles, rendering them unsuitable for establishing the location, extent and stage of execution. Thus, absence of stage-wise geo-tagged photographs significantly weakened WAMIS as a monitoring tool,” audit finds.

“Consequently, the department and higher authorities could not independently verify the physical progress, distinct identity or extent of works, particularly where multiple works were executed in the same location. This increased the risk of duplicate or overlapping execution, incorrect progress reporting and avoidable expenditure remaining undetected,” the draft report says.

Subu R, Principal Accountant General (Audit-1), Odisha, has written to Yamini Sarangi, Rural Development Secretary, to submit department’s views on audit findings.