The audit only checked selected units. There is a need to review all such cases throughout the IAF to avoid recurrences. COMPTROLLER AND AUDITOR GENERAL

CHANDIGARH: In a report tabled in the Parliament on Tuesday, the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) has pointed out that the Air Force paid transport allowance to its officers and airmen even in cases when they were absent from duty for a month, which, it stated, is against the orders of the defence ministry and air headquarters.

At 12 Wing, Chandigarh, alone 532 officers and airmen were paid the wrong transport allowance, stated CAG. The defence ministry issued instructions in February 1998 about the transport (TPT) allowance to service officers and personnel below officer rank, stating the TPT allowance should not be given to those who remain absent for a month due to leave or training or tour.

After 6th Pay Commission was implemented, the ministry revised the TPT allowance rates in December 2008.

From June to November 2015, the irregular payment of the TPT allowance was made in eight test-checked stations, and maximum employees (532) who got the wrong payment between April 2012 and July 2015 were from 12 Wing.

The other erring stations included 4 Base Repair Depot (21 employees), 412 Air Force Station (35), 17 Wing (51), 41 Wing (10), 35 Wing (82), Central Servicing Development Organisation (10) and Air Force Central Accounts Office (249). The CAG also issued a statement to Air Headquarter and Air Force Central Accounts Office (AFCAO) on the issue in November 2015, and suggested review.

The AFCAO in November 2015 stated that the recovery would be made where Personnel Occurrence Report (POR) are raised by units, or details are made available by the audit.

“The AFCAO’s reply is not acceptable. It is a repository of all occurrences related to the IAF personnel, including annual leave and individual running ledger accounts. The AFCAO maintains them, and are subject to audit by the Joint Controller of Defence Accounts, Air Force. Further, the audit only checked selected units. There is a need to review all such cases throughout the IAF to avoid recurrences,” reads the report.