Ensure time-bound response to audit observations: CAG to J&K

Jammu, March 27

Stating that its audit has pointed out several deficiencies in the implementation of various programmes and internal-control measures in selected departments in Jammu and Kashmir, the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) of India has asked the union territory administration to look into the matter and revamp the system to ensure a proper response to the audit observations in a time-bound manner.

‘No accounts submitted by LAHDCs since formation’

Jammu: The Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Councils (LAHDCs) for Leh and Kargil districts have failed to submit accounts for audit since their inception, the Comptroller and Auditor General of India said, terming it a “serious financial irregularity”. The Leh and Kargil LAHDCs have failed to submit accounts for audit since their inception in 1995-96 and 2004-05, respectively. PTI

In its report on the social, general, economic (non-public sector undertakings) sectors for the year ending March 31, 2019, the CAG said the pendency of a large number of paragraphs indicates a lack of adequate response from the government departments to the audit.

The report, recently submitted in Parliament, said in the last few years, the audit has pointed out several significant deficiencies in the implementation of various programmes or activities as well as on the quality of internal-control measures in certain departments, which have a negative impact on the success of the programmes and the functioning of the departments.

“The government may look into this matter and revamp the system to ensure a proper response to the audit observations from the departments in a time-bound manner,” it said.

During 2018-19, the CAG said a compliance audit of 727 drawing and disbursing officers and 74 units of 25 autonomous bodies was conducted by the office of the Principal Accountant General (Audit), Jammu and Kashmir. “The focus was on auditing specific programmes/ schemes in order to offer suitable recommendations to the executive for taking corrective action and improving service delivery to the citizens.

“Twenty-three paragraphs were sent to the Principal Secretaries/Secretaries of the respective departments. Replies in respect of nine paragraphs included in this report were not received (September 2020),” it said. — PTI