Thu Sep 18 14:47:54 UTC 2025: Here’s a summary of the text followed by a rewritten news article:

**Summary:**

A Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) audit report for 2023-24 reveals that Puducherry’s Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP) has increased by 7.16%. Revenue receipts have seen significant growth, particularly in tax and non-tax revenue. However, the Union Territory’s total outstanding debt has also increased. The report also highlights numerous cases of misappropriation and loss of government funds, primarily within the Electricity department, for which final action is still pending.

**News Article:**

**Puducherry’s Economy Shows Growth, But Debt and Misappropriation Concerns Linger, Says CAG Report**

**PUDUCHERRY, September 18, 2025** – A new audit report by the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) for the fiscal year 2023-24 paints a mixed picture of Puducherry’s economic performance. The report, released today, reveals a 7.16% increase in the Union Territory’s Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP), rising from ₹44,700 crore in 2022-23 to ₹47,902 crore in 2023-24.

Principal Accountant General R. Thiruppathi Venkatasamy, at a press conference in Puducherry, highlighted the significant growth in revenue receipts, which surged by 48.09% between 2019-20 and 2023-24, reaching ₹10,042 crore. This increase was largely fueled by a 56.19% rise in tax and non-tax revenue, climbing to ₹6,424 crore. Capital receipts also saw a rise during the same period.

However, the report also indicates a growing debt burden for the Union Territory. The total outstanding debt/liabilities have increased from ₹9,449 crore in 2019-20 to ₹13,084 crore in 2023-24.

Adding to the concerns, the CAG report uncovered 316 cases of misappropriation, loss, and defalcation of government funds amounting to ₹28.89 crore. The Electricity department is implicated in the vast majority of these cases, accounting for 257 incidents involving ₹27.14 crore. Final action on these cases is still pending.

The CAG report, tabled in the legislative assembly today, is expected to spark debate and scrutiny as authorities address the issues of rising debt and financial mismanagement highlighted in the audit.

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