The Royal Audit Authority’s (RAA) revelation of Nu 193.564 million in wasteful expenditures is a stark reminder of the urgent need for reform in our public spending practices. The Annual Audit Report for 2023–24 outlines a pattern of mismanagement, inadequate planning, and poor oversight that must be addressed to safeguard public resources.
Wasteful expenditures, as highlighted by the RAA, occur when investments fail to deliver their intended purpose. This is not merely a matter of numbers—it is a profound misuse of funds that could have transformed lives, improved services, or fostered development. The report points to glaring lapses across sectors, from unused medical equipment to idle infrastructure. These instances reflect a systemic failure to align investments with actual needs and feasibility.
Take, for instance, the case of the Jigme Dorji Wangchuck National Referral Hospital (JDWNRH), which spent Nu 117.978 million on radiotherapy equipment that remains unused. The absence of a proper needs assessment and feasibility study rendered this critical investment futile. Similarly, the coal washery in Samdrupchholing, installed at a cost of Nu 40.864 million, lies idle due to inadequate planning. These are not isolated incidents but part of a broader pattern of inefficiency.
One of the root causes of such waste is the lack of comprehensive planning and stakeholder consultation. The construction of an office building in Khoyar in Samdrupjongkhar, costing Nu 12.096 million, has been rendered underutilised due to disagreements over its location. Similarly, Trongsa’s crematorium, built for Nu 4.764 million and later converted into a roadside amenity at an additional cost of Nu 3.991 million, highlights poor site selection and lack of public involvement. Such examples underscore the need for early and inclusive consultations to avoid conflicts and ensure resources are channeled effectively.
Another glaring issue is the absence of integrated planning. The construction of a farm road from Surpang to Oilingbee by the Goshing Gewog Administration cost Nu 1.289 million but remains unusable due to the lack of a bridge. This oversight demonstrates a failure to view projects holistically, leading to incomplete and ineffective outcomes.
To address these challenges, our public institutions must adopt a culture of accountability, informed decision-making, and stringent oversight. Comprehensive needs assessments must be mandatory for all projects, ensuring that investments address real and verified requirements. Feasibility studies should evaluate technical, economic, and environmental aspects before committing funds.
More importantly, stakeholder engagement is crucial. By involving communities, local leaders, and technical experts in the planning process, conflicts can be minimised, and projects can better serve their intended purposes. Monitoring mechanisms must also be strengthened, with regular audits to flag inefficiencies early and correct course as needed.
And, there must be a robust accountability framework. Decision-makers responsible for wasteful spending must face consequences to deter future lapses. Equally important is capacity building. Training officials in planning, risk management, and project execution will enhance the overall efficiency of public spending.
Our resources are finite, and every wasted ngultrum represents a lost opportunity to improve lives and drive development. It is imperative, therefore, that we learn from these lapses and adopt systemic changes to ensure that public funds are used wisely and responsibly.