Parliamentary Committee discusses growing arrears

 The National Concern and Coordination Committee of the National Assembly held a discussion on the auditing process, arrears, implementation status of the report of the Office of Auditor General, problems, challenges, and solutions of auditing.

Committee Chairman Dil Kumari Rawal Thapa informed that they discussed the reasons behind growing arrears and measures to be taken for correction. "Fiscal disciple is essential to reduce arrears," she said, adding that issues such as policy and structural reforms, human workforce management, use of new policy, and effective implementation of new technology were zeroed in during the meeting held with Office of the Auditor General (OAG).

The Committee would direct the concerned bodies for reform after garnering suggestions in this regard, according to her.

Lawmakers said the commission-seeking culture of government employees, frequent transfer, and the huge amounts released early as remuneration were some of the reasons behind the increase in arrears. Lawmaker Kumar Dasaudi blamed the government that it spends a huge amount of budget at the end of the fiscal year.

The OAG sought suggestions from lawmakers on how existing legal arrangements could address the problems of arrears. The office chiefs must be made accountable to address this problem, they added.

On the occasion, Acting Auditor General Ram Maya Kunwar stressed the need for reform from the very local level.