The amount of irregularities at government agencies jumped 20.28 percent in the last fiscal year 2014-15, according to the 53th Annual Report of the Office of Auditor General (OAG) released on Monday.

Financial Procedures Act 2007 has defined “irregularity” as financial transactions conducted without complying with provisions stated in the existing law, accounts not maintained as required by the law, and transactions made in an irregular and irrational manner.

The report, which the OAG handed over to President Bidya Devi Bhandari, states the irregularities rose by Rs56.65 billion in the last fiscal year to reach Rs328.52 billion — 40 percent of the annual budget for the current fiscal year. The amount of irregularities was at Rs43.71 billion in FY 2013-14, up from Rs36.60 billion in 2012-13.

OAG said the size of irregularities has been rising every year but settlements have not been made. “There no accountability in budget implementation,” said Bhanu Prasad Acharya, auditor general at OAG. “If the planned Fiscal Responsibility Act was introduced, it would have helped bring discipline in public expenditure.”

Of the three types of irregularities, advance payments-related irregularities in the last fiscal year jumped the most. Achayra said it was due to huge advance payments for the mobilisation of rescue and relief after the April 25 earthquake last year, whose settlement has yet to be dome.

In recent years, the amount to be recovered by government agencies has also risen. Such amount grew to 4.67 percent of the audited figure last year from 4.38 percent in the previous year. “When government agencies make over-payment and accept underpayment, such irregularities grow,” said OAG Spokesperson Baburam Gautam.