The Excise department in Bihar has suffered a loss of Rs 223.58 crore during 2008-09 due to short lifting of minimum guaranteed quantity, non-delayed settlement of excise shops and other deficiencies.

CAG in its report for the period ended on March 2009, highlighted that test check of the records of the excise offices conducted during 2008-09 revealed loss of revenue of Rs 223.58 crore due to short lifting of minimum guaranteed quantity, non/delayed s ettlement of excise shops and other deficiencies.

During 2008-09, the department accepted underassessment and other deficiencies of Rs 31.99 crore in 43 cases, of which 18 cases involving Rs 24.34 crore were pointed out during 2008-09 and the rest during the earlier years, the CAG pointed out.

The department reported recovery of Rs 8.43 lakh. Scrutiny of the records of the state excise offices revealed several cases of non-compliance of the provisions of the Act, rules and others of the department.

These cases are illustrative and are based on a test check carried out in audit. Such omissions on the part of the excise authorities are pointed out in audit each year, but not only do the irregularities persist, these remain undetected till an audit i s conducted in the subsequent year, it said.

There is need for the Government to improve the internal control system so that such omission can be prevented, it suggests, it suggests.