Srinagar, October 23 (Scoop News) -Government treasuries in J&K will go hi-Tech shortly. The Finance Department has conceived a Rs 27 Crore integrated plan for computerization of treasuries through Mission Mode Project to be approved by the union Ministry of Finance, under National E- Governance programme.
This was announced by the Minister for Finance and Ladakh Affairs Abdul Rahim Rather while reviewing the working of treasuries of Kashmir Province and Funds Organization at a high level 6-hour marathon meeting held here today.
Rather said a new treasury software namely Integrated Financial Management System (IFMS), is in final stage of development through the sate unit of NIC, which has been designated as Software Developing Agency for computerization of treasuries.
The Minister said in the first phase, eleven treasuries including six in Kashmir and Five in Jammu division would be fully computerized during the current fiscal.
The meeting among others was attended by the Minister of State for Finance, Dr. Manohar Lal, Commissioner Secretary Finance Sudhanshu Pandy, Director General Accounts and Treasuries Wali Mohd Bhat, Director Funds Organization G N Bhat, Sr. Dy. Accountant General, V.J. Dassi, representatives of J&K Bank and all treasury officers of Kashmir province.
While urging for strict observance of fiscal discipline, Rather enjoined upon treasury officers (TO) to follow codal formalities adding that in no case payments should exceed Budget allocations passed by the state Legislature. He directed the TO’s to maintain the Budget control Register adding that strict administrative action would be taken against violators of the directives.
Rather said treasuries are the face of the Government and the officers shall have to discharge their duties efficiently and in a transparent manner as per the expectations of the people. He said while efficient and hard working officers shall be encouraged; the non performers shall have to face strict action. He complemented the TO’s for working despite odds during the current year and assured that Government would safeguard their career prospects. About 700 promotions from top to bottom including 202 gazetted and 431 non gazetted officers have been regularized to do away with adhocism, Rather added.
Pointing out some shortcomings, the Minister said that a backlog of Red DC bills amounting to about Rs 1900 corer have not been submitted to the office of Principal Accountant General as yet. The minister also urged for strict follow-up to AG’s audit Para’s adding that any default on this account could invite strictures from Public Accounts Committee of the state legislature. He noted with satisfaction that the amount of pending RD Bills has reduced from Rs.2700 crores during the last one year due to close monitoring.
Rather also instructed the TO’s to ensure timely rendition of monthly accounts to the office of Principal AG which should be perfect, error free and complete in all respects. He directed the TO’s not to make payments unless verification of previous drawls is made. He also urged for regular verification of pension payments adding that Rs 1.77 corer excess pension payment made by some branches of J&K bank are still to be recovered. However Rather complemented the officers for implementing the new pension scheme effectively from 1st January this year.
Commissioner Secretary Finance enjoined upon the TO’s to work with extra zeal to bring more efficacy in the working of Accounts and Treasuries Department. He said as Government on its part walked an extra mile to ensure that about 650 officers of the department are promoted within a period of one year, it is now for the officers at every level to ensure that all aspects of financial discipline is enforced and financial obligations are discharged efficiently.
DG Accounts and Treasuries in his introductory remarks said that as many as 52 administrative inspections of the treasuries and the subordinate offices of Kashmir division have been made during the current year so far. This has resulted into a lot o improvement in the maintenance of the treasury records. he added.