Jammu, June 5: In view of huge pendency of audit paras, Red DC account and OB items in various departments, the government Saturday took serious note of non-compliance of repeated directions and irresponsible approach of various departments for failing to timely clear pending of inspection reports and other audit paras.
“It has been brought into the notice that large number of inspection reports and audit paras are pending with the departments where even the first reply has not been furnished to audit,” the General Administration Department (GAD) observed directing the departments to clear pending OB items, audit paras, and draft audit paras with the offices of the Accountant General of J&K.
Therefore, the Administrative Secretaries have been directed to take-up necessary steps in clearing OB items, audit paras, draft paras and outstanding Red DC accounts within a month positively.
“The progress achieved in clearing pending audit paras will be reviewed by the Chief Secretary Arun Kumar Mehta in monthly meetings of administrative secretaries,” said an official referring to directions.
The official said that as per the Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG) Regulations 197, the replies to the observations raised in the inspection reports are to be furnished within four weeks of the receipt.
“Timely settlement of the audit observations is important as it involves taking remedial action as well as streamlining the procedures,” he said adding that various departments had adopted a delaying attitude which had hampered normal functioning.
Earlier, the Finance Department had also issued directions to set up Audit Committees in every department for settlement of pending audit paras.
“However, it has been observed that huge amounts of Red DC accounts and OB items are outstanding against the different departments.The Red DC accounts are to be submitted within 60 days of the drawal of such advance,” he said.
“The non-submission of the Red DC accounts affects the booking of expenditure and its reflection in the government accounts,” the official said. “There is lack of response from the departments and number of audit observations continue to remain unaddressed due to which the objective of the audit in terms of examining the validity, propriety, economy, efficiency and effectiveness of financial management in public administration is severely affected.”