64th anniversary of OAG: Prez insists on taking arrears clearance efforts as campaign

KATHMANDU: President Bidya Devi Bhandari said the report of the Office of Auditor General (OAG) indicates the increasing size of arrears, suggesting the need for a campaign to downsize it. [caption id="attachment_25707" align="alignnone" width="1000"] President Bidya Devi Bhandari addresses a programme organised on the occasion of the 64th anniversary of the Office of Auditor General (OAG) in Kathmandu, on Wednesday, June 29, 2022. Photo: RSS[/caption] The Head-of-the-State in her address to the programme organised to celebrate the 64th anniversary of the OAG here today underlined the need for fiscal discipline to prevent arrears. “Economic fairness will help establish good governance,” the President said, seeking the attention of all bodies concerned towards that end. President Bhandari insisted on transparency in public finance behaviours, acknowledging the importance of OAG report to make public finance management effective. President Bhandari said authorities ranging from the federal to local government should take the issues raised in the OAG report seriously. [caption id="attachment_25708" align="alignnone" width="1000"] Finance Minister Janardan Sharma addresses a programme organised on the occasion of the 64th anniversary of the Office of Auditor General (OAG) in Kathmandu, on Wednesday, June 29, 2022. Photo: RSS[/caption] Also speaking on the occasion, Finance Minister Janardan Sharma said the government was effortful to clear arrears and enhance fiscal management. The Finance Ministry was at work to settle the arrears worth Rs 676 billion remained so far, he added. “The issues of arrears clearance has been accorded priority in policies and programmes, and budget for the upcoming fiscal year 2022/23 and the OAG will be provided necessary physical and financial assistance for the same.” He drew the attention of the government to control unnecessary expenditures on foreign trips, and become frugal at a time when the country is reeling under economic difficulties. [caption id="attachment_25709" align="alignnone" width="1000"] Auditor General Tankamani Sharma (Dangal) addresses a programme organised on the occasion of the 64th anniversary of the Office of Auditor General (OAG) in Kathmandu, on Wednesday, June 29, 2022. Photo: RSS[/caption] Similarly, Auditor General Tankamani Sharma, Dangal, shared that report prepared through electronic auditing will be released this year. Stating that the OAG could not observe the office anniversary due to Covid 19 risks, he shared that a total of seven staff were awarded this year for their best performance. According to him, a separate audit report of Covid 19 will be made public very soon. The OAG has adopted a risk-based auditing system this year, he said. It was shared that no encouraging works could be accomplished in the clearance of arrears this year. The OAG said that cases of irregularities were rife at local level. Effective implementation of the OAG report was emphasized for the restoration of good governance. [caption id="attachment_25705" align="alignnone" width="1000"] President Bidya Devi Bhandari, Finance Minister Janardan Sharma, Auditor General Tankamani Sharma, Dangal among other stakeholders pose for a photo amid a programme organised on the occasion of the 64th anniversary of the Office of Auditor General (OAG) in Kathmandu, on Wednesday, June 29, 2022. Photo: RSS[/caption] Deputy Auditor General Ramu Prasad Dotel urged to embrace the issues that would ensure good governance through the quality work of auditing. The OAG has been auditing over 6,000 public offices annually. By RSS READ ALSO:

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