JK Finance Minister for strict adherence to Treasury code

Srinagar, September 24 (Scoop News)-Underscoring the pivotal role and important responsibilities of Treasury Officers (TOs) towards enforcing fiscal discipline and budget management, the Minister for Finance Abdul Rahim Rather today urged for strict adherence to Treasury Code to safeguard State exchequer.
Speaking at the marathon 6 hours long 12th review meeting on the working of Treasuries of Kashmir Division here at Banquet Hall Srinagar on Tuesday, the Minister directed the TOs not to exceed budget allocations in any case adding that no payments should be made without drawl verification, which, he said was necessary for enforcement of financial discipline and averting the chances of fraudulent drawls. He also urged for maintaining Budget Control Registers strictly at the treasuries. He said violation of treasury code shall not be tolerated in any case and defaulters shall have to face strict disciplinary action. The Minister also directed the TOs not to render incomplete accounts to AG’s office as the incorrect and incomplete classification on the Bills affects the accuracy of State finances.
The meeting was attended by the Accountant General (A&E), Manish Kumar, Director General Accounts and Treasuries, Mr Majid Jehangir, Deputy Accountant General, Farooq Ahmed Baba, Director General J&K Funds Organization Mrs. Pushpa, Director Audit and Inspection, Mohammad Amin, representation of J&K Bank, concerned district Treasury officers and Treasury officers of the Kashmir Division.
Rather asked the TOs to fully cooperate with the AG’s office so that Audit Paras are dropped even before the next visit of audit party to their respective Treasuries. He instructed the TOs no to entertain WDC bills for advance drawls unless certificate is recorded by the DDOs that Red DC Accounts in respect of the previous drawls have been submitted to the AG’s office. He said accumulation on account of rendition of detailed Red Accounts to the AG’s office is very disturbing.
While urging for speedy recovery of the excess pension paid by various Business Units of the J&K Bank to some state Pensioners, the Minister asked the Treasury officers to behave politely with the pensioners during the process of their physical verification. “The Pensioners are Senior Citizens and the respected section of the society and it should be ensured that they are not put to any inconvenience during the process of their physical verification, Rather directed. He also asked the TOs to identify land in their respective areas so that Treasury Buildings are constructed there with a view to provide better working conditions to the Treasury Staff. He said that new Treasury buildings at Shopian, Shangus, Kupwara, Sogam, Devsar and Khan Saheb have already been constructed whereas construction of Treasury building at Bandipora, Beerwah, Dooru and Chiktan are at final stage of completion.
The Minister said Government has undertaken an ambitious plan to provide Government accommodation to each treasury in the State in a phased manner.
The progress on computerization of Treasuries under mission mode project of e-Governance plan at a cost of Rs 34.06cr also came up for thorough discussion. It was stated that the computerization process of treasuries is in full swing and almost 70% hardware items have been received in the treasuries.
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