Public Accounts Committee holds meeting in Srinagar

• Discusses audit paras pertaining to Finance Department

SRINAGAR: The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) today convened a meeting to discuss audit paras pertaining to Finance Department at the Assembly Complex in Srinagar. The meeting was chaired by Committee Chairman Sham Lal Sharma and attended by members Nazir Ahmad Khan, Qaysar Jamshaid Lone, Javid Hassan Baig, Devinder Kumar Manyal, Sajad Shaheen and Muzaffar Iqbal Khan.

The Committee undertook a detailed review of audit paras pertaining to the Finance Department, including Paras 3.6 (2001–02), 2.2 and 2.5 (2018–19). The Chairman emphasized the importance of ensuring efficiency and transparency in public expenditure. He reiterated that the mandate of the Committee is to scrutinize the government spending, identify lapses, fix accountability and recommend corrective actions.

The Committee deliberated on key issues such as computerisation of Toll Post Lakhanpur, management of bank accounts and disbursement of flood relief funds. The meeting reviewed the details submitted by the concerned department and asserted that action taken reports be submitted over various matters in a time bound manner.

Principal Accountant General J&K, K P Yadaw, Principal Secretary, Finance Department, Santosh D. Vaidya, Secretary, PWD Bhupinder Kumar, Secretary, RDD & PR Mohammad Aijaz Asad, Director General Accounts and Treasuries, Director Finance, Commissioner State Taxes and other senior officers. The Committee also decided to drop various audit paras, including Para 2.2.4 related to the management of bank accounts with a direction to submit a detailed action taken report within a stipulated time frame.

The Chairman highlighted the importance of the Committee, emphasising on the core responsibilities, including examination of audit reports from the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG), scrutiny of public spending and recommendation of reforms to enhance fiscal discipline.

He appreciated the commitment and meticulous efforts of the Committee members and officials and encouraged them to continue contributing effectively towards the public accountability. He underlined the crucial role of the PAC as a watchdog over public funds and government operations.