JAMMU: Stating that its audit has identified a number of deficiencies within the implementation of assorted programmes and internal-control measures in chosen departments in Jammu and Kashmir, the Comptroller and Auditor Basic (CAG) of India has requested the Union Territory administration to look into the matter and revamp the system to make sure a correct response to the audit observations in a time-bound method.
In its report on the social, common, financial (private sector undertakings) sectors for the yr ending March 31, 2019, the CAG mentioned the pendency of a lot of paragraphs signifies an absence of sufficient response from the federal government departments to the audit.
The report, lately submitted in Parliament, mentioned in the previous couple of years, the audit has identified a number of important deficiencies within the implementation of assorted programmes or actions in addition to on the standard of internal-control measures in sure departments, which have a unfavorable affect on the success of the programmes and the functioning of the departments.
“The federal government might look into this matter and revamp the system to make sure a correct response to the audit observations from the departments in a time-bound method,” it mentioned.
Throughout 2018-19, the CAG mentioned a compliance audit of 727 drawing and disbursing officers and 74 models of 25 autonomous our bodies was carried out by the workplace of the Principal Accountant Basic (Audit), Jammu and Kashmir.
“The main target was on auditing particular programmes/schemes with a view to supply appropriate suggestions to the chief for taking corrective motion and enhancing service supply to the residents.
“Twenty-three paragraphs have been despatched to the Principal Secretaries/Secretaries of the respective departments. Replies in respect of 9 paragraphs included on this report weren’t acquired (September 2020),” it mentioned.
The report mentioned the handbook of directions for a speedy settlement of audit observations or inspection reviews (IRs) issued by the federal government (finance division) gives for a immediate response by the chief to the IRs issued by the Principal Accountant Basic (Audit) to make sure remedial or rectification motion in compliance with the prescribed guidelines and procedures.
The heads of places of work and the subsequent larger authorities are required to adjust to the observations contained within the IRs, rectify the defects and report their compliance to the Principal Accountant Basic (Audit), it mentioned, including that primarily based on the outcomes of the check audit, 49,523 audit observations contained in 11,531 IRs have been excellent as on March 31, 2019.
“The pendency of a lot of paragraphs signifies an absence of sufficient response of the federal government departments to the audit,” the CAG noticed.
Additional, solely two Audit Committee conferences have been held throughout 2018-19, by which 28 audit paragraphs have been settled, which account for 0. 06 per cent of the pending objections as of March 2019, the report mentioned, urging the respective departments to represent audit committees and monitor the progress of the settlement of paragraphs.
To make sure accountability of the chief to points handled in numerous audit reviews, the federal government (finance division) issued directions in June 1997 to the executive departments to furnish suo-motu action-taken notes (ATNs) to the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) or the Committee on Public Undertakings (COPU) on all of the audit paragraphs that includes within the audit reviews, no matter whether or not these are taken up for dialogue by these panels or not.
“These ATNs are to be submitted to those committees, duly vetted by the Principal Accountant Basic (Audit) inside a interval of three months from the date of presentation of audit reviews within the state legislature.
It was, nevertheless, observed that out of the 495 audit paragraphs that includes within the civil chapters of the audit reviews from 2000-01 to 2015-16, the suo-motu ATNs in respect of 146 audit paragraphs had not been acquired as much as September 30, 2020,” it mentioned.
The report mentioned the ATNs, duly vetted by the Principal Accountant Basic (Audit) on the observations or suggestions made by the PAC or the COPU in respect of the audit paragraphs mentioned by them are to be furnished to those committees inside six months from the date of such observations or suggestions.
“Out of 495 audit paragraphs that includes within the civil chapters of audit reviews for the years from 2000-01 to 2015-16, solely 245 audit paragraphs have been mentioned by the PAC as much as March 31, 2020. Suggestions in respect of 223 audit paragraphs have been made by the PAC. Nonetheless, ATNs on the suggestions of the committees are pending from the federal government of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh in respect of 165 paragraphs,” it mentioned.
