National audit found Uttarakhand spent forest-compensation funds on iPhones, laptops and office renovations; Supreme Court later accepted the state's explanation and closed the matter
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A Comptroller and Auditor General performance audit of Uttarakhand's use of CAMPA (compensatory afforestation) funds for 2019-2022 (Report No. 5 of 2024) reportedly found money spent on iPhones, laptops, fridges and coolers, building renovations and litigation, and Rs 275.34 crore in interest not deposited for 2019-20 to 2021-22; the state said it deposited Rs 150 crore in July 2023. On March 5, 2025 the Supreme Court (T.N. Godavarman case) ordered the Chief Secretary to file an affidavit or face being summoned. On March 19, 2025, after the state's explanation through the Solicitor General that the questioned items were about 1.8% of funds (roughly Rs 753 crore) and that some irregular purchases, including a desktop, two laptops and an iPhone, were subject to departmental action, the court found the deviations 'trivial in nature' and closed the issue, directing no further deviations and timely interest deposits.
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