Maharashtra CAG Report Flags 6 'Ghost' Hostels That Received Rs 1.62 Crore Without Students

The Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) has uncovered six non-functional or "ghost" hostels in Maharashtra that allegedly received Rs 1.62 crore in government funding over four years despite having no students.

The findings are part of the Compliance Audit Report 2024, which was tabled in the Maharashtra Legislature on July 10. Besides exposing financial irregularities, the audit also highlighted serious shortcomings in hostel infrastructure, staffing, hygiene and fund utilisation across government-run and aided hostels for students from backward and economically weaker sections.

What did the CAG find?

According to the audit report, the Department of Social Justice and Special Assistance released Rs 1.62 crore to six hostels that were not functioning.

The auditor described these institutions as "ghost hostels", noting that they continued receiving government assistance despite having no student occupants.

As of March 2024, Maharashtra had:

• 443 government-run hostels
• 2,388 government-aided hostels
• Accommodation for 1,21,971 boys and 40,543 girls

The state spent Rs 2,321 crore on these hostels during the audit period.

The audit included inspections of:

• 18 government-run hostels
• 21 government-aided hostels

Which hostels were identified?

One of the hostels highlighted was Modikhan Hostel in Jalna.

According to the CAG:

• The building was locked and in a dilapidated condition.
• There were no signs of students living there.
• Official records still listed 38 students and a superintendent.
• The hostel continued receiving Rs 18 lakh in honorarium payments over four years.

The audit also found an unoccupied hostel in Jafrabad, Jalna, where beds remained dusty despite the facility being built for 24 students.

Overall, the report identified:

• Four ghost hostels in Jalna
• One in Buldhana
• One in Latur

What other problems did the audit highlight?

The report pointed to widespread deficiencies in hostel facilities.

Many hostels lacked:

• Dining halls
• Libraries
• Computer laboratories
• CCTV surveillance
• Daily newspapers
• Television facilities
• Power backup

The audit also found:

• Poor sanitation
• Unsafe drinking water
• Poor-quality food
• Inadequate lighting
• Absence of regular medical check-ups
• Failure to maintain the mandatory one-month food grain buffer stock

In four hostels, students reportedly had to sit on the floor while eating because tables and chairs were unavailable.

Accessibility concerns

The CAG also flagged violations of accessibility norms.

In hostels located in:

• Ahilyanagar
• Dharashiv
• Jalna
• Nagpur

Students with disabilities were allotted rooms on upper floors, despite rules requiring ground-floor accommodation.

Staff shortages and non-functional biometric systems

The audit revealed several administrative lapses.

Among them:

• Only 46 out of 280 biometric attendance systems were operational.
• 49 government hostels were functioning without superintendents.
• Five girls' hostels were being managed by male superintendents.

Funds remained unspent

The report also criticised poor financial management.

During 2023-24:

• Rs 56.65 crore out of the allocated Rs 487 crore for government hostels remained unspent.

The CAG further noted that nearly 8,930 students across 117 talukas were deprived of hostel facilities because the government failed to implement its policy of establishing at least one government hostel in every taluka.

Hostel construction target missed

According to the audit, Maharashtra had planned to establish 500 government hostels by 2020.

However, only 443 hostels had been constructed despite funds being sanctioned, leaving the target unmet.

The report concluded that financial irregularities, delays in infrastructure development, staff shortages and poor implementation have affected hostel facilities meant for students from socially and economically disadvantaged communities.

Key Highlights

• CAG found six non-functional "ghost" hostels receiving Rs 1.62 crore despite having no students.
• Four ghost hostels were located in Jalna, while one each was found in Buldhana and Latur.
• Maharashtra has 443 government-run and 2,388 aided hostels.
• The state spent Rs 2,321 crore on hostels during the audit period.
• Many hostels lacked basic facilities, including libraries, CCTV, dining halls and medical services.
• Only 46 of 280 biometric attendance systems were functioning.
• Nearly Rs 56.65 crore allocated for hostels remained unspent in 2023-24.
• Around 8,930 students across 117 talukas were deprived of hostel facilities.

FAQs

What are the 'ghost' hostels mentioned in the CAG report?

They are six non-functional hostels that continued receiving government funding despite reportedly having no students.

How much money was released to these hostels?

According to the CAG, Rs 1.62 crore was disbursed to the six ghost hostels over four years.

Which districts had ghost hostels?

The report identified four ghost hostels in Jalna and one each in Buldhana and Latur.

What other issues did the audit find?

The audit highlighted poor infrastructure, staff shortages, non-functional biometric systems, inadequate sanitation, lack of medical facilities and unspent government funds.

How many students were affected?

The CAG said nearly 8,930 students across 117 talukas were deprived of hostel facilities because the government's expansion policy was not fully implemented.