The Principal Director of Audit’s audit report revealed serious shortcomings in the Chandigarh Tourism Department’s inability to efficiently manage finances and promote tourism, which has put the Chandigarh tourist board under close examination. Despite being given this role, the department is criticised in the report for failing to create a comprehensive action plan or put governance methods into place to increase tourism in the city.
The audit revealed that the tourism department had not finalized a tourism policy for Chandigarh, which is essential for stimulating the local economy and attracting more visitors. This delay in policy formulation comes despite ongoing efforts to prepare a tourism strategy for the city. The audit reviewed department records from 2018 to 2023, noting that a 20-year Perspective Plan for Sustainable Tourism Development in Chandigarh, established in 2003, emphasized the need for a coordinated approach involving multiple government sectors and the private industry. However, no detailed action plan or key performance indicators were created to measure the success of the policy’s implementation, as required.
The audit also revealed that the agency did not create policies or procedures for granting permits to businesses and private groups to hold events linked to tourism in the city. The city’s potential as a tourism attraction is further hampered by this absence of a legal framework.
Famous Chandigarh tourism destinations, including the Indian Air Force Heritage Centre, Bird Park, Sukhna Lake, Rock Garden, Capitol Complex, and Government Museum and ArtGallery, receive large numbers of visitors from both domestic and foreign countries each year. Even yet, it doesn’t seem like the department is doing enough to make use of these resources.
The audit also uncovered financial mismanagement, particularly concerning a grant of ₹27 crore provided to the Chandigarh Industrial and Tourism Development Corporation (CITCO) for salary expenses and compensation. The required utilization certificates were not submitted, raising concerns about accountability.
Moreover, the audit highlighted that ₹9.5 crore allocated for constructing a convention centre at Hotel Parkview in Sector 24 remained unutilised for over six years. CITCO returned the amount. with interest in February 2024, but the funds have not yet been deposited in the Treasury, leading to further financial blockages.
RK Garg, who obtained the report through the Right to Information (RTI) Act, expressed disappointment, noting that despite assurances from the UT administration about monitoring audit objections, no significant action has been taken.
