Odisha forest dept bought, modified Thar cars with disaster response funds: CAG

The Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) of India flagged irregularities in Odisha's Forest Department over purchase and modification of 51 Mahindra Thar vehicles using disaster preparedness funds. It found that ₹28.45 crore from the State Disaster Response Fund was sanctioned in July 2024 for capacity building. Of this, ₹17 crore was spent, while the remaining amount was not accounted for.