The New Nation - Internet Edition

THE government is reported to have taken an initiative to set up a Public Accounts Committee for reviewing the reports of the Auditor and Controller General. Such review used to be made by the Parliamentary Public Accounts Committee for ensuring proper accountability of the official agencies, which spend the allocated money for running administration and implementing development projects.

The caretaker government implemented programmes taken by the previous elected government in the fiscal year 2006-07. It has also prepared and implemented a budget for fiscal year 2007-08 and has proposed a new budget for 2008-09. The obligation of ensuring proper use of resources of the country falls upon the Council of Advisers. The accounts maintained in Ministries, Departments and Public Corporations need to be brought under review. Since the imposition of state of Emergency the use of fiscal resources of the country has remained beyond the spell of review. The government has thus reportedly decided to set up a Public Accounts Committee, consisting of professionals in the field. The committee will review the report of the Comptroller and Auditor General for ultimate clearance and approval. The papers will be produced before the Parliamentary Accounting Committee set up after the election of the Parliament, mainly for continuity of accountability of official agencies.

The backlog of the reports of the Comptroller and Auditor General over the past two fiscal years should be reviewed without further loss of time. The high powered public accounts committee have to work hard for meeting the objective of clearance of public accounts. The move to set up the Public Accounts Committee is expectd to help the Caretaker government to ensure proper governance of the country.