SHILLONG, Jan 22: The Public Accounts Committee of the KHADC on Wednesday suggested proper maintenance of cash books while deliberating on the audit report of the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) for the years ended March 31, 2018, and March 31, 2019.
The KHADC’s Opposition leader and PAC Chairman Titosstarwell Chyne said this was the first time that the PAC was constituted in the council based on the approval of the house and according to the recommendations of the CAG.
He said the PAC, after studying the CAG’s recommendations and observations, suggested to the Executive Committee the actions required to be taken.
The PAC chairman said the council has already taken steps on the recommendations made by the CAG in the audit report.
“There are steps taken by the council prior to 2019 and onwards till 2023. The CAG will not be aware of the steps taken by the council since the audit report is for 2018 and 2019,” Chyne said.
He also said the Executive Committee has been directed to take steps such as proper maintenance of the cash books to address the financial irregularities as observed by the CAG.
On the non-submission of the utilisation certificates (UCs) by the MDCs on the grants disbursed in 2018 and 2019, Chyne said many MDCs have come forward to submit their UCs after the audit report was tabled in the House during the winter session and also after it was reported in the media.
“We would like to appeal to the MDCs who are yet to submit their UCs to inform the EC and submit them within 30 days,” the PAC chairman said.
Regarding the 82 illegal appointees as pointed out by the CAG in the audit report, he said the PAC has suggested constituting a recruitment committee to bring about transparency in the process of filling up vacancies in the council.
He said they have also suggested departmental promotion strictly based on seniority.
“No one should supersede and people who deserve as per seniority should be promoted,” Chyne said.
Replying to a query, he said the Chief Executive Members (CEMs) have been appointing people directly since the council came into existence 72 years ago.
“None of the political leaders who have occupied the position of the CEM can deny this fact. But all the appointments made have been temporary. They can be removed at any point in time if there is a need,” Chyne, a former CEM, said.
He, however, said the service rules of the council are clear that a recruitment committee would be responsible for placing advertisements and conducting interviews to fill up vacant posts in the council.
According to him, the new EC to be formed after the election would decide if there is a need for a recruitment policy to remove all doubts about the recruitment process in the council.
