Jammu, Nov 22: Minister for Finance and Ladakh Affairs Abdul Rahim Rather has said that periodic Reviews of Accounts and Treasuries Department is necessary as it helps in deliberating various issues needed to streamline the working of the Department.
 He said that these meetings besides making the officers acquainted with latest guidelines also help them to have one to one interaction so that any shortcoming could be addressed promptly.
 Reviewing the functioning of the 50 Treasuries of the Department of Jammu division and Treasuries of Leh, Kargil and New Delhi here today at an officer’s meeting, the Minister said guidelines should be strictly adhered to, adding that any violation would be dealt with strictly under rules.
 He reminded the officers about the disciplinary action that had to be taken against some senior officers for their deliberate acts of omission and commission. It was further emphasized that the APRs of officers would be given on the basis of performance only.
 Saying that good performance would bring about better management and control of the State Finances, he said that personal conduct of an officer plays a very important role in addressing public as well as professional matters. The Minister reiterated that Government is committed to provide good governance, therefore, any errant or indisciplined conduct would not be tolerated and dealt with seriously.
 Rather said that implementation of 6th Pay Commission was the biggest challenge before the present Government when it came to power as it had added implications of unmanageable dimensions.
 He said that the State has inherited a very precarious financial health which would take some time to improve. Notwithstanding these problems, on the occasion of Eid, government has made all out efforts to minimize pendency in the treasuries in so far as work related bills are concerned. He made intention of the government clear, to bring overall pendency in all the treasuries to Zero in a planned manner.
 The Minister directed that performance indicator should be maintained and the queries of AG’s office replied properly, as it ensures functioning of the system as per laid down guidelines. In order to further improve the functioning of various wings of the Finance Department,   Rather directed for undertaking immediate review of the existing Treasury Code and Fund Manual so as to make it in sink with the modern times. Technology plays a very important role in efficient and effective functioning of any department, it is for this reason that complete computerization of all the Treasuries is being started during the current year in mission mode in a time bound manner.
 Rather stressed upon the officers to strictly maintain the Budget Control Register adding that in no way the budgetary grants should be exceeded. He said regular checks are needed  so that excess payments drawn by J&K Bank to pensioners are not repeated and proper verification done.It was further emphasised that over-payment cases of pensioners be settled  with the J&K Bank Ltd.
 Speaking on the occasion, Commissioner/Secretary Finance,   Sudhanshu Pandey said that it is notable that some treasuries have improved the performance with major achievement. However, he said that the records should be classified properly to understand financial booking of the expenditure of the state. He instructed the officers to monitor various aspects minutely so that there is least scope for violations. He said that treasuries being face of Government have added responsibilities to come up to the expectations of common people. All the 28 Treasury Officers of Jammu division who have not given the list of their respective drawing and disbursing officers to the office of Accountant General and obtained code for implementation of the New Pension Scheme were directed to complete the process within next 48 hours.
 Director General, Accounts and Treasuries,   Wali Muhammad Batt earlier presented welcome address and dwelt in detail about the working of the Department.
 Director, Funds,   G. N. Bhat, Deputy Accountant General’s, besides District Treasury Officers and Sub Treasury Officers of all the districts of the division attended the meeting.

Lastupdate on : Sun, 22 Nov 2009 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Sun, 22 Nov 2009 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Mon, 23 Nov 2009 00:00:00 IST