Audit of Government companies is governed by Section 619 of the Companies Act, 1956. The accounts of Government companies are audited by Statutory Auditors appointed by the CAG. These accounts are also subject to supplementary auditconducted by the CAG. Audit of Statutory corporations is governed by their ^respective legislations. As on 31 March 2010, the State of Karnataka had 75 working Public Sector Undertakings - PSUs (69 companies and 6 statutory corporations) and 15 non-working PSUs (ad companies), which employed 1.77 lakh employees}* The State PSUs registered a turnover of Rs. 36,369.87 crore for 2009-10 as per their latest finalised accounts. This turnover was equal to 12.19per cent of State Gross Domestic Product indicating the important role played by the PSUs in the economy. The PSUs had accumulated loss of Rs. 197.93 crore as per their latest finalised accounts.
As on 31 March 2010, the investment (Capital and long term loans) in 90 PSUs my/s Rs. 54,231.30 crore. Infrastructure Sector accounted for about 58.23 per cent of total investment and Power Sector about 27.97 per cent in 2009-10. The Government contributed Rs. 8,113.61 crore towards equity, loans and grants I subsidies in 2009-10.
The working State PSUs earned a profit of Rs. 545 78 crore in the aggregate for 2009-10 as per their latest finalised accounts. The major contributors to profit were Karnataka Power Corporation Limited (T711.05 crore), Mysore Minerals Limited (Rs. 200.54 crore), and The Hutti Gold Mines Company Limited (Rs. 124.71 crore). Heavy losses were incurred by Chamundeshwari Electricity Supply Corporation Limited ( Rs. 217.15 crore ), Gulbarga Electricity Supply Company Limited (Rs. 216.25 crore) and Hubli Electricity Supply Company Limited (Rs. 173.64 crore).
Audit noticed various deficiencies in the functioning of PSUs. A review of three years Audit Reports of CAG shows that the PSUs losses of Rs. 417.48 crore and infructuous investments of Rs. 302.40 crore were controllable with better management. Thus, there was tremendous scope to I improve the functioning and enhance the profits. The PSUs can discharge their role efficiently only if they are financially self-reliant. There is a need for greater professionalism and accountability in the functioning of PSUs.