SHILLONG: The Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) payments in Meghalaya increased from around Rs 2 crore in 2014-15 to Rs 110 crore in the financial year 2017-18, showing better utilisation of funds and transparency. “In 2014-15, the total DBT payments was around 2-odd crores out of a total of 1,000-odd transactions. Now there is a quantum jump in the last financial year of 2017-18 to around Rs 110 crore accounted for by approximately 2 lakh transactions,” State Nodal Officer V Fanai said.
Fanai spoke to reporters during a meeting held to review the progress of the implementation of Public Financial Management System (PFMS) with State Project Management Units (SMPUs) in the northeastern region attended by Controller General of Accounts (CGA), Ministry of Finance, Anthony Lianzuala.
According to him, PFMS is a vehicle of governance and transparency that aims at ensuring transparency in government finances.
“It means that money is actually reaching the people now. PFMS tries to ensure, now we are actively linking all the state schemes with central government schemes so that we can monitor the flow of funds as well,” he added. The state government can actively monitor the quantum of funds lying at various levels and ensure optimum utilisation of funds.
“When we initially started PFMS with the state government’s cooperation, it took time for the schemes to be linked. The government is making sure that there is transparency in whatever payments. The system of ghost accounts is no longer possible because the beneficiary has to have a bank account,” Fanai said.
Lianzuala said CGA started the first review meeting of the regional centre for northern states in Lucknow while for the North East, it was held in Shillong.
“The northeastern states along with West Bengal would be making their presentation with us to see the progress how far we have gone as far as implementation of PFMS. And how far the state governments have responded as far as DBT and PFMS issues are concerned,” he said.
