Airport Defaults Exposed: CAG Flags ₹7.28 Crore IMD Dues, INCOIS Penalised ₹1.58 Crore
Audit Exposes Recovery Gaps and Compliance Failures in Earth Sciences System
New Delhi: The Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG) has flagged financial lapses in institutions under the Ministry of Earth Sciences, highlighting unpaid dues, uneven recoveries and compliance failures.
The government informed Parliament that ₹7.28 crore in meteorological charges remains unpaid to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), mainly by private airport operators.
Jitendra Singh, Minister of State (independent charge) for Earth Sciences and Science and Technology, shared the details in the Lok Sabha on Wednesday.
Airport Defaults: Private Operators Lag Behind
Data shows a clear divide between government-run and private airports.
Recoveries from Airports Authority of India-managed airports remain stable, with most dues collected annually.
However, private and state-run airports show persistent gaps:
- 2020-21: ₹6.05 crore due, ₹3.01 crore recovered
- 2021-22: ₹7.55 crore due, ₹1.86 crore recovered
- 2022-23: ₹9.49 crore due, ₹2.56 crore recovered
- 2023-24: ₹12.21 crore due, ₹6.26 crore recovered
There is a spike in recovery in 2024-25 at ₹19.40 crore, but past shortfalls remain a concern.
INCOIS Penalised for Approval Lapses
The Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services (INCOIS) paid ₹1.58 crore as penalty to the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC).
The penalty was imposed for occupying buildings without mandatory approvals. The government said the issue has now been resolved and approvals have been obtained.
Recovery Trends Show Inconsistency
While AAI-linked recoveries remain strong, year-on-year variations highlight gaps in enforcement.
In some years, recoveries exceeded dues, while in others, collections fell short.
This inconsistency points to the absence of a steady recovery mechanism.
The minister said steps are being taken to recover pending dues and ensure compliance across institutions.
Accountability Questions Remain
The audit findings raise key concerns:
- Why do private operators continue to delay payments?
- Why are recovery mechanisms inconsistent?
- How did compliance lapses occur within government institutions?
The CAG findings underline systemic gaps in revenue collection and compliance.
With India expanding its aviation and weather infrastructure, stronger oversight and timely enforcement will be critical to prevent further financial leakages.
