FM directs FCOs to maintain professional integrity

Finance Minister Bishnu Prasad Paudel Wednesday said that the financial discipline could not be maintained by lip service; it should be handled with professionalism and utmost integrity.

Addressing the first National Seminar of the chiefs of District Treasury Controller Office (DTCO) in the capital, Minister Paudel urged the treasury controllers to adhere to the principles of financial discipline in order to make the government transaction transparent, preserve the government properties and make the accounting system more effective.

“Ballooning arrears have become a big challenge to maintain the financial discipline hence this national gathering should try to find solutions to this,” said Paudel.

He asked the government employees not to approach him with requests for their transfers and upgrade.

“I don’t entertain the requests of transfers. My doors are always closed for those who want their transfers to the convenient places,” he said.

Minister Paudel also criticized the government officers for giving priority to the petty issues like transfers in the meetings and conventions rather than policy and institutional development of their respective agencies.

He said that transparent, scientific and just transfer system should be developed at the earliers.

Acting chief secretary Kedar Bahadur Adhikari directed the treasury controllers to conclude the accounting report in time. “Make sure that every ministry, department and offices submit their accounting report in every six months,” he said.

Rajendra Prasad Nepal, financial comptroller general said that Nepal had achieved international level standards in Treasury Single Account system.

He expressed his hope that the meeting would suggest practical solutions for better financial management.

Deputy Comptroller General Jagannath Koirala said that the ever increasing non-budgetary expenditure was worrisome.

“Our internal control system weak and there is no adequate investment for capacity building of human resources,” he said.

The 3-day seminar will conclude on Friday.

There are 79 FCGOs in 75 districts where about 5027 employees are working.