PAC orders 10 ministries to tackle financial irregularities
Furthermore, ministries were urged to ensure that even the preliminary reports on irregularities are taken seriously by their accounting officers.
KATHMANDU: The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) of the Federal Parliament has instructed the ten ministries with the highest financial irregularities to develop and implement concrete action plans aimed at resolving the outstanding issues.
Following a discussion held on Friday with ministry officials, the committee emphasized the need to set clear targets to reduce financial irregularities (beruju) and prevent such occurrences in the future.
It also directed that the settlement of irregularities be directly linked to the performance evaluations of departmental officials.
Furthermore, ministries were urged to ensure that even the preliminary reports on irregularities are taken seriously by their accounting officers.
The committee also raised concerns about employee transfers made by the Office of the Auditor General over the past two fiscal years.
It instructed that an assessment of those employees’ past performance be conducted and submitted.
“What has been the performance of the accounting staff over the last two years in their respective postings? The Office of the Auditor General must maintain those records. Moreover, their commitments for the future should also be collected,” said Committee Chairperson Rishikesh Pokharel.
He added, “This complete report—covering past performance and future commitments—must be submitted to the Public Accounts Committee within a specified timeframe.”
Pokharel also expressed concern over certain accounting officers frequently lobbying for positions in specific departments and ministries. He stressed the importance of maintaining records of the actions and outcomes of such individuals.
Additionally, the committee instructed officials to settle the outstanding irregularities listed since the 57th report of the Auditor General within the current fiscal year.
