❖ The CAG of India has highlighted significant delays, violations, and lapses in the enforcement of the Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) Notification, 2011, in Tamil Nadu.

❖ From 2015 to 2022, the TNSCZMA directly approved 114 out of 175 projects without recommending them to the union Ministry of Environment.

❖ As many as 23 projects involving the effluent discharge were approved without the obtaining mandatory No-Objection Certificates from the Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board.

❖ Around 90 unauthorised constructions were identified in the No Development Zone across Chennai, Chengalpattu, and Thoothukudi.

❖ Also, the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments (HR&CE) Department not produced any records to CAG for the audit.

❖ As per the HR&CE department, there was no jurisdiction for the scrutiny of the records pertaining to religious institutions.

❖ The scope of the CAG audit was to be restricted to the funds released from the consolidated fund of the State.

❖ The grants released by the government HR&CE department to the alone could be audited under Section 14 of the DPC Act.