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RAA Papers

Auditor General's – Advisory Series – 2001

Contents
PART – I

  1. Introductory comments

  2. Inspection Reports (IR)

  3. Inspection Reports (IR)

  4. Audit Recoveries Accounts (ARA) 

  5. Audit Clearance (AC)

  6. What ails the Public Service?

  7. Accountability: better assurance

  8. Recent Initiatives

  9. Challenges for the Public Service

  10. A Clean Public Service- Nation's PRI         

PART – II
Chapter I-
PROPERTY ACCOUNTABILITY :

  1. System of maintaining even a basic inventory

  2. Practice or system of physical verification of properties

  3. Proper and complete Handing/Taking over

  4. The impact of pool vehicle reduction on treasury

  5. Disposal of machinery in piecemeal to deceive accounting

  6. Central Stores and obsolete inventories

Chapter II-
FINANCIAL ACCOUNTABILITY :

  1. Culture of paying suppliers and contractors generously

  2. Residential phone bills paid for by the office

  3. Participation at National Sports Tournaments

  4. Unauthorized credit sale and advances

  5. Regular advances/credits made

  6. Huge deviations in quantities of works executed

  7. Irrational regularization of lapses

Chapter III- 
CORPORATE NON–CIVIL SERVANT ACCOUNTABILITY:

  1. Considerable amount of Government Fund at the disposal of STCB

  2. Norms for Subsidy to Corporations

  3. Proprietary audits of public bodies

  4. Competetative and Integrity

Chapter IV-  
REVENUE ACCOUNTABILITY:

  1. Defaulting suppliers, taxpayers and contractors

Chapter V-
POCUREMENT ACCOUNTABILITY :

  1. Unlicensed suppliers and contractors

  2. The credential of the contractors and suppliers  

  3. Patronize a select group of suppliers and contractors

  4. Entertainment of false documents

  5. Deliberate interpretation of the lowest bid

Chapter VI-
COORDINATION AND COOPERATION, OVERLAPPING AND REDUNDANCIES :

  1. Revenue audits redundant

  2. Overlapping and duplication of functions

  3. Entertainment of TA/DA

  4. Air Travel and Ticketing Irregularities   

Chapter VII-
GENERAL :

  1. Education and Awareness Accountability

  2. Under-utilization of our capacities

  3. Copy Rights

  4. Catering and Hospitality

  5. R & D, Standards, BSR

  6. Professionalism & Dedication

  7. Private sector and Watchdog – Institutions

Chapter VIII-
 
CONCLUDING REMARKS

Volume I – Issue – I: 2001
 

Auditor General's – Advisory Series – 2001

 

PART – I

1.
Introductory comments: Setting the stage:

The Audit Inspection Reports (AIR) traditionally were transmitted to the Auditee and organization concerned. Some are acted upon and in most of the cases they appear to have been shelved by the Administration and Finance Divisions (AFD) etc. In many cases they were guarded as secret documents not accessible even to those whose careers would be affected by it.  

As a consequence in such an environment, most often one is not sure what became of the hard work of auditors. After spending valuable time and resources nothing good really came out that gave satisfaction to the society. how much of accountability was brought.  

Thus rules became evidently exception and bad practices were adopted as acceptable  precedences. Only in a few, rules were adhered to ritualistically, in others it was discretion or ad-hocism was the golden rule.  

The observations of the auditors is intended to serve as the feedback, so valuable and gainful. If these were not used for the intended purpose; from which if we did  not learn lessons; why do we audit at all?  

The Royal Audit Authority (RAA) would wish to indulge the decision-makers and give a bird’s eye-view of what we saw, learnt and felt.  We expect the fruits of the hard work of the auditors must contribute to make our system more accountable, sustainable and closer to attainment of self-reliance.

2.Inspection Reports (IR):

For the year 2000 more than  202 agencies were audited in the Kingdom including audit of Helvetas and SNV Country offices.  183 Inspection Reports were transmitted to various organizations. Follow-up of more than 59 previous reports are being actively pursued, some as old as beyond 1988.

Special audits of the security forces were conducted that is expected to enhance accountability of the scarce resources and revive the financial disciplines. 

A special report on the investment of the RGoB in different  investment schemes  under the management of the professional Fund Managers is being finalized for consideration of the Board of Directors of the Royal Monetary Authority.  

Joint investigations with the Ministry of Agriculture were undertaken. One similar audit is taking place currently for the National Women Association as desired by the HRH  President .  

An Annual Plan is being introduced as such that there will be regular auding of all the organizations while no auditor will be overworked nor remain  under -utilized. 

3. Audit Recoveries Accounts (ARA): 

A considerable amount of public fund remain unaccounted  or in the hands of various individuals. The requirement of the production of Audit Clearance (A.C.) in respect of the Civil Service had  been found to be the only effective means of assuring recovery and accountability. Every effort is being made  to insure that every Chetrum of the Kingdom is accounted. More than 37 million in cash itself had been collected  till spring of 2001, as shown below: 

SL.NO.

YEAR

AMOUNT

COLLECTED /YEAR

1.      

1985-90

6,964,449.06

2.      

1991-95

4,702,675.40

3.      

1996-99

13,466,712.30

4.      

2000

10,055,101.49

Sub-total

35,188,938.24

5.     January -April  01

4,808,693.00

Grand total

39,997,631.24

 Source AIMS as on 10th April,2001

In the year 2000, a minimum of Nu. 10,055,101.49  in cash were recovered to the RGoB. It amounts to higher than the rural tax of 7.051 million for the entire nation collected for the fiscal year 1999-2000 including outstanding. (National Revenue Report 1999-2000).  

In the first quarter of 2001, over a total of Nu. 4,808,693.00 million were recovered.  

These do not take in to account the minimum of Nu.40 million realizable in the form of commercial taxes and the moneys that are yet to be deposited/recovered in Audit Recovery Account from various agencies of the Royal Government.  

The Royal Audit Authority (RAA) expects that the officials of the Department of Power will account of  an amount  of Nu.6,031,706.89 due to the outstanding energy charges. Likewise the Bhutan Telecom the then Department of Telecommunication is pursuing with the defaulting customers for an amount of Nu.4,084,141.91. 

Above all the benefit that could be accrued to the economy through the injection of greater sense of the efficiency, effectiveness, economy  and accountability in the system due to the vigorous and dedicated auditing by the auditors cannot be quantified. 

4. Audit Clearance (AC): 

The Audit Clearances are being obtained by a total of 67 government organizations and autonomous bodies except for the three financial institutions, Chhukha Hydro-Power Corporation and the Security Forces (including Army Welfare Project).  

Most civil organizations and individuals do appreciate that such a system has contributed to maintain credibility in their organizations for both personal and organizational accountability assurance. The Royal Audit at times have to adjust its Annual Plan to comply with such requests for auditing. 

The Audit Clearance Application Form has been streamlined to make it less bureaucratic. And to impose responsibility to process the same on the organization instead of the individual. This was also to make the head of organization who extracts  work out of the employees is duty bound to ensure rewards given to its employees  justly and timely. Above all in an appreciable and a magnanimous manner.  

We present  herewith the statistics on the clearance that were issued in the year 2000 as  follows: 

SL. No.           

Category

Number of Clearances issued

1.        

Promotion,      

2293

2.

Training,

1133

3.        

Resignation,

851

4.

Contract Extension,

291

 

TOTAL

4568

Regrettably inspite of the changes and education of the personnel managers, Audit Clearance is used as the sole basis for determining the eligibility in processing the service benefits.  Further it appears organisations do still encourage either employees to obtain the Audit Clearance or the initiative rest with the employee while the officials entrusted with the personnel functions confine themselves in the respective cozy chambers. 

The Audit Inspection observed that because of the Audit Clearance- integrity, the accountability and quality of the civil service is gradually improving. However, in the non-civil service sectors the accountability is a serious issue. The control systems and practices in these organizations do not always can be termed satisfactory. The report of the three forces, RICB, RMA etc. are proof enough.  The Audit Inspection Reports transmitted to some of these remained unheeded. As a consequence, rather than the administrative or punitive actions being taken even preventive measures being initiated were not visible.  

An organization where the system of accountability, control and reward system is poor, it must be understood to mean that the quality leadership is lacking. The heads of organizations to whom Audit Reports were transmitted would only understand the magnitude and correctness of such conclusions that the RAA is drawing from the reports (if they have read).  

5. What ails the Public Service? 

It is evident from observations that most of the problems were due not to the absence of policies, rules and regulations but were often due to poor coordination and controls and indifference and inconsistency in their applications. A deliberate distortion in the interpretation of rules to suit the ulterior motives especially in the tendering and procurements. A culture where we could say no without hesitation or fear, and ability to award entitlements on merit not on compassion, assertion of rights, fraudulent obligations must be discouraged in a remunerated services and in monetized economy. 

6. Accountability: better assurance; 

In the past, a system of fixing responsibility was not properly streamlined for each audit Para.  The head of organization were expected to take action on the audit findings. The indifference shown to the reports evident  from statements made in responses such as  we tried but we could not succeed.” Or "The Audit finding is noted.” The Contractors/ suppliers and private individuals could not be brought to accountability directly or indirectly remained out of the  purview of the audit.  They had the field day. 

Now, a different strategy to effect accountability is being introduced.  One that where accountability is a major problem the entire unit/organization is held answerable. That  would mean for a given period no member of that group will be issued with A.C. till the audit is satisfied. Also the responsibilities are now put more on the individual public official whose lapse/ excesses  have caused damage to the RGoB in particular where private sector was the beneficiary. It is thus up-to the concerned public servant  to take the private party to task or let him loose.  The values of damages where appropriate with commercial interest is being recorded in the concerned officials name in the Audit Information Management System (AIMS) begins to work. 

7. Recent Initiatives: 

The present audits while they serve the purpose organization specific, we also need to create impact on the  whole society.  The RAA while continuing with the present financial and transaction oversight auditing on a regular and periodic basis to ensure compliance, efficiency and effectiveness of implementation of policies, programs and management of funds by organization, we will also carry out, beginning the year 2001, the theme, core service, issue and area based cross-sectional inspections.  This can probably bring accountability in the system in a uniform and sustainable manner and over the board. While doing so focus will be to address the overall achievements of an organization. 

8. Challenges for the Public Service: 

No matter how persistently the Auditors will pursue its commitment to promote accountability, equality, equity and responsibility; it can only be sustained with the full cooperation and commitment of everyone at the helms of administration, being administered. As such while emphasis will be placed on individual accountability  where necessary increasingly collective accountability would be stressed so that everything becomes everybody’s business. 

9. A Clean Public Service- Nation's PRIDE. 

I have no doubt that if the responsible and accountable Heads of agencies did ever review the audit reports issued so far and compare with what follows in this paper,  non would agree less with us.   

It has thus become very critical and urgent that we bring the common issues and problems to the attention of all those who could make the difference to elicit their concern and commitment for Accountability. 

A little that each of us may do can make a great deal to create our public service that each of us can boast and make it to be – “NATION'S PRIDE”: 

PART – II

COMMON FINDINGS AND ISSUES

The findings that are described are the refrain that runs through audit of all audit reports. While the details  of nature of  offences would be covered and presented in the Audit Inspection Report(AIR) and the Annual Audit Report (AAR), we put forth the following: 

Chapter I-          PROPERTY ACCOUNTABILITY

1. System of maintaining even a basic inventory:

Absent for both moveable and immovable properties; 

Historically, the Bhutanese systems of m-yig- (Ma-yig);-àm-- and To-yig (Tho-yig) were found as effective system of inventorization and accountability of public properties and services. Failure to maintain would merit Cd- (Ched)or sometimes resorted to gZi-'‘g-ni  (Zhi-chag-ni). A  property once registered under a àm-dmr-Tm-cn-m--(thram martham chenmo) has to be accounted for un-conditionally. 

Today, regrettably in most of the public institutions, not to mention about the moveable, but even the immovable assets of the Government is not inventoried or accounted for. Because of which it becomes difficult to assess the extent of the size, status, and quantity of the assets the Royal Government  owns. 

Further in the country there is urgent need for establishment of a central registry or archive where historically and legally valuable documents could be deposited and managed for reference of the posterity as well as current studies.

2.  Practice or system of physical verification of properties:

Not a common feature; 

There is traditionally culture of lo-­is- (annual stock taking ), by independent groups. However, except in a few establishments the physical verification system is not found being a practice.  It was neither being initiated by the officials responsible nor insisted upon by the supervising authorities. As a result, it makes auditing of assets not only difficult if not totally impossible. Sadly it is often detected to encourage misuse and abuse of public properties.

 3. Proper and complete Handing/Taking over:

          on appointment, transfer and resignation; 

The Financial Manuals and the Civil Service Rules and Regulations stipulate that whenever a public servant leaves/joins office or post, irrespective of rank or grade or position, he/she is required that a proper handing and taking over is carried out to ensure the accountability of government properties and funds.

However except in exceptional cases in most cases only a symbolic handing and taking over  is carried out.  

As a result during the course of audit, individuals try to get away, to be accountable for funds and properties, on the excuse of not being handed over or taken over.  

Without the slightest realization that an individual taking over has the succession responsibility for accountability and the official handing over has the duty-bound to hand over charge  completely and properly.

 4. The impact of pool vehicle reduction on treasury:

nullified by the sale of vehicles on arbitrary basis; 

It was laudable move by the CCM to reduce number of surplus pool vehicles. The decision to reduce the use and number of pool vehicles was appreciated by all as it could release resources from where it is not crucially required. But any well meant policies can go wrong during implementation, the benefits of the programme accrued only to a few privileged but not the treasury. The allocations were made in a manner that had questioned the very objective of the exercise The allocation being found not transparent, suspected of abuses and irregularities.  

The programme would have attained its objectives had these vehicles been allotted to organisations, which did not own such as the Dzongkhags, Thrimkhangs etc.  These could have been the justified recipients. Or the surplus vehicles could have been auctioned to be fair.  

Regrettably, increasing number of the beneficiaries now monopolize another pool vehicle. We need to come out of some of these cycles once and for all as such a practice is not a new incidence plaguing the RGoB. 

5. Disposal of machinery in piecemeal to deceive accounting: 

Very often the government properties in particular the machineries were found sold to employees either fully repaired at government costs after allotment or parts knowingly procured to be disposed off, instead of in a package.  The beneficiaries also often are the persons who had the priviledge of the inside in future.

6. Central Stores and obsolete inventories: 

a. In the sixties and seventies, when there were no capacity in the private sector, to provide for goods and services, the maintenance of Central Stores by Ministries where justified. With considerable advance and progress in retailing, wholesaling, transports and other national and local capacity, the necessity to maintain the stores to the present extent need to be reviewed.  

The considerable misuses, abuses, damages and wastes due to the stores detected could be minimized, while the private sector development could receive added boost. Further, if the concept of delivery of procurement where feasible is done on C.I.F., risk and cost to the government will be minimized either from thefts, loss, spoilage and waste on transportation. 

We feel that need to sustain such a store was only due to ad-hocism and poor forecasting and planning of programmes and resources. 

b. Besides a lot of obsolete immovable assets and documents or lying in stores of respective agencies without being disposed of as required by the rules. These impinge on both human and spatial resources. Further the accountabilities become impossible to be fixed with change of responsible persons and poor documentation over the time.

Chapter II-          FINANCIAL ACCOUNTABILITY 

1. Culture of paying suppliers and contractors generously:

in excess and double; 

It is found not uncommon practice that engineering, financial and supervising personnel seldom discharge their duties with care and prudence. The professional code is lacking in most.  Because of these lapses, the payment, made out of the budgets is often either paid in excess, over  or double, causing considerable financial damage to the poor government. To the audit’s surprise rarely payments made out short or collected fully or on time or in excess. 

2. Residential phone bills paid for by the office:

as a matter of right; 

The Ministry of Finance with an objective to cut down cost and to reduce bureaucracy had discontinued payment of claims for residential telephone bills except genuine official calls. But a large number of residential phone bills were claimed by officers as a routine as official calls (months after months).  The Controlling and Disbursing authorities in spite of exercising control, appear to have encouraged the practice. 

3. Participation at National Sports Tournaments:

at the RGoB expense; 

According to the existing Circular issued by the Ministry of Finance, an organization can only pay for Registration Fees for taking part in sports tournaments out of the L.C. Account. Audit had observed funding of the full cost of participation  from LC Account that impinges on the funding of the programs. On the other hand others who are rule abiding cannot participate even if they wish as much as those who did.

4. Unauthorized credit sale and advances:

huge balances ; 

Due to lack of effective or no follow up, huge sums of public funds continue to be with the individuals or parties, on account of the sale proceeds not realized, the advances given not recovered and bills not adjusted. The recovery of these would become almost impossible either due to records now not available or not being maintained or the individuals responsible are longer stated as available. 

5. Regular advances/credits made:

Prior to settlement of the previous ones. 

Advances/Credits appear regularly being given to the employees and customers without any basis and often without liquidation of the previous ones.  A considerable amount of public funds were at the disposal of individuals as may be noted from the Audit Recoveries Accounts.

6. Huge deviations in quantities of works executed:

compared to Bill of Quantities (BOQ) as high as 1000%; 

There appears a total lack of professionalism and discipline as evident from poor estimates, poor planning, weak supervision and control,  unrestrained practice of allowing deviation in violation of the rules.  This is  one area of concern that every head of organization need to pay attention if the public resources are to be managed in the judicious fashion. 

7. Irrational regularization of lapses:

that encourages more such acts being  committed by the entire system.  

The Financial Manual provides for regularization of  only those activities that only a superior authority is the competent one over the subordinate who is responsible for carrying out  the assignment.  

The Royal Audit Authority (RAA) observed that an irregularity of the nature of violation of Rules were being found regularized. Therefore repeated  irrational regularization of gross lapses encourage similar acts being committed by the entire system.

 Chapter III- CORPORATE NON–CIVIL SERVANT ACCOUNTABILITY

1. Considerable amount of Government Fund at the disposal of STCB:  

As is the general practice all over the world, the Government is the major customer for the private sector. So is the case here in Bhutan, as government buys substantial goods from the STCB.  

Whenever the procurements were procured from STCB, huge advances sometimes exceeding the value were found paid. STCB takes in deviation to the universal commercial norms the full advance for goods to be procured. Besides all services rendered are billed on delivery of the goods.  

Thus a substantial portion of the government moneys are not only at their disposal of the STCB, it also indicates the government organizations  do not take the responsibility insist on deliveries being made on time and settlement of the balances ( Even after a substantial period upon delivery of goods).   

Amount

Nu.Ch

% increase over 1998

Years

1998

78,919,462.05

 

1999

100,259,478.88

13

2000

156,656,693.61

20

 Source: Annual Company Accounts (2000 under audit)

2. Norms for Subsidy to Corporations:

to the extent of the liability incurred ;

The present system of the government financial support of corporations that have the national security or social service liability would perpetuate the company's dependence on the RGoB and its performance. The companies should be reimbursed only to the extent of the expenses  incurred on accounts of rendering such services on behalf of the RGoB. Otherwise, the companies should be held fully accountable for profitability or performance and self-reliance to be attained at the earliest.

3. Proprietary audits of public bodies:

The Royal Audit Authority as required by the Company Act of the Kingdom of Bhutan 1989 was responsible to appoint the statutory auditors to the public companies.  During the course of the auditing, proprietary audit was also done on a sample basis. This was found not adequate as companies revealed accounts to the extent that suits their interest. As such the proprietary audits are being carried beginning 2000 in the public companies and financial institutions where public interests are necessary to be ensured. 

It is regretted to point out that internal controls are found to be very poor in many of these. The effectiveness of the roles discharged by the respective Boards appears questionable.

4. Competetative and Integrity: 

a. No Auditee of the Year: Weak follow-up of Audit Reports ; 

Audit reports are expected to be acted upon within three months after the reports are being transmitted, as per the RGoB directives issued on 11th November 1999. However not many organizations do respect this directive. Situation is nonetheless of late improving with a few ministries either on their own initiatives or at the urging of the Internal Auditors taking initiative.

However, for the year 200 the RAA did not find any organization that can qualify to be declared as the Auditee of the Year. 

b. Promotion of competitiveness and  discourage monopoly: 

Procurement is made directly from government and joint sector companies without ascertaining the competitiveness of the cost to the public exchequer through call of quotation. This was resorted by government agencies for the sole reason short cut the procurement rules. This had thus promoted complacency in these organizations while the competitive advantage to the government is not ascertained.

 Chapter IV-          REVENUE ACCOUNTABILITY

1.        Defaulting suppliers, taxpayers and contractors:

never black listed;

There are several cases of suppliers and contractors who had defaulted on orders and contracts in government organizations but were never black-listed, publicized or penalized.  Instead in  some, they received the repeated positive consideration of the employers despite the fact.

As a result such a practice has proliferated in many other agencies. These are found to be one of the major causes of the financial drain on the government and substandard or incomplete projects and programmes.

As to the defaulting taxpayers, several years of taxes were found not settled or accounted.

Huge amounts of taxes are denied to the Royal Government of Bhutan and the private sector development is adversely affected.

If the analysis of revenue made so far is a pure reflection of the government operations;  the following statistics is a pointer for all to note. 

Revenue Recovery by Audit :

(as on 10th May 2001)

 

 

 

1.      

Total   detected  recoverable

92,142,047.31

2.      

Total Recovered                       

27,955,268.25

3.      

To be recovered                   

26,206,607.20

 The rest of the amount appear either waived off,  under appeal and subjudice.

 Chapter V- PROCUREMENT ACCOUNTABILITY 

1. Unlicensed suppliers and contractors:

(not registered with the Ministry of Trade & Industry given repeated orders);

The Royal Government of Bhutan policy provides that all Government procurements and projects are to be contracted out or made from the bonafide Bhutanese license holders issued by the Ministry of Trade & Industry.

Huge orders were observed contracted out directly with non-license firms and individuals. In some cases fictitious ones. Trips made by officials for unjustified procurements outside the country are not unknown.  These are deliberately carried out to either evade tax or favour illegal traders on the plea of ignorance of the Government policies etc.

A few of these even benefited with the tax exemption facility which is illegal

2. The credential of the contractors and suppliers :

verification an exception;

The rules require that the contract award documents must contain the licence number of the bonafide supplier or contractor.

The rule requires also checking the validity date to establish the validity is to deal in such an action to establish the deal credible. 

In most cases the credential of the suppliers and contractors were never scrutinized as required under rules. As a result the works were given to illegal and unqualified companies. These supply substandard products or produce poor quality of works or default on supplies.  

3. Patronize a select group of suppliers and contractors:

always get the orders or work of a particular organization;

All would find it interesting to observe that the same group of companies and suppliers regularly service a respective organization. It may be coincidental that their bids are most of the time found to be  the competitive one for one particular organization.

It cannot but be concluded that there is a syndicate, collusion and inside information sharing and patronage. In a few of these incidents, the suppliers and contractors are often relatives and close friends.  It may be acknowledged that these had to be corrected and discouraged.  These are due to lack of effective procedures and control in an organization which are transparent . Also entrusting the functions that, may be prone to abuse, to the same or persons of known poor integrity. It was also found due to absence of regular changes in persons and poor monitoring and evaluation at every level as well as lack of monitoring by supervisors. 

We do make a big issue of monitoring and evaluation as separate from our way of life and works. It is simply there being a system where there is sense of accountability, a system where everybody does the right thing at the right, time and place. It means there is a functioning control, monitoring and evaluation practice at every level. 

 Adoption of controversial methods of work orders are being adopted such as cut off point system, Negotiation, work order etc. are in grave contradiction to the universally adopted norms and RGoB Rules and Regulations.

It is urged that all heads of organization should give opportunity to a greater participation and must sometimes ponder why the reputed firms do not come for your work but the select group. If a same supplier or contractor is the  regular one, than one must suspect of the integrity of the procurement and tendering system.

4. Entertainment of false documents:

The payment of Muster Rolls and Procurements were found as paid for in a considerable instances based on fictitious and fraudalant documents. The misplaced receipts, air ticket stubs, missing books, photocopied bills, faxed receipts, tampered  forms etc. are not uncommon.

5.   Deliberate interpretation of the lowest bid:

is substandard or lowest  bidder’s doubtful credibility

There is general misconception prevailing that a lowest bid concluded as cheap quality and substandard. Any company whose bid is lowest is suspect of being cheat or incompetent, before even the bids are being subjected to evaluation. That is as goods as person/company is condemned to ignominy  before being tried.  

Chapter VI
COORDINATION AND COOPERATION,
OVERLAPPING AND REDUNDANCIES 

1. Revenue audits redundant:  

Auditors have detected maximum misuse of funds in respect of taxes collected but   not          accounted for by the officials responsible for collection of taxes and rates in the office.

Audit also observed that revenue audit to be repetitive and redundant with the establishment of Internal Audit in organization and the regular auditing of the Royal Audit Authority. As such the Ministry of Finance should rely on the work done by audit.  The Department of Revenue and Customs should concentrate only on formulation of policy, tax assessment and collection of taxes.

2.  Overlapping and duplication of functions:

with the establishment of  Internal Audit and the Royal Audit.

Audit observed that agencies and officials waste a considerable amount of resources through the overlapping and duplication of functions.   In a few cases organisations and officials devote a considerable time and resources for works, which are not related to the mandate of the respective organisations.Frequent reviews of the Government agencies should minimize overlapping and duplication of functions through frequent consultation and coordination. Most importantly organization and individuals should refrain from undertaking duties and functions that are not legitimately ones. Instead dedication to the assigned and mandated tasks sincerely and professionally.

3.  Entertainment of TA/DA :

A special audit is being conducted, as it is apparent irregularities  due to travel  and travel related claims as may be seen from below :

Sl.No.

Name of agency

Total irregularity

Balance

 

1.

Planning

Commission Secretariat

186,701.60

19,370.00

 

2.

BDFC

1,035,855.00

793,210.00

 

3.

RICB

680,002.00

680,002.00

 

4.

MOA

431,143.40

11,489.60

 

5.

MOFA

2,170,805.04

 

 

6.

MHE

193,128.35

 

 

7.

MHA

308,383.00

507,318.46

 

8.

MTI

673966.09

403,388.00

 

                                        TOTAL

13,827,311.23

2,916,289.91

            Source: TA. DA summary.xls Sheet 1

Out of which Nu. 13,827,311.23 there is still a balance Nu. 2,916,289.41

that is to be recovered .

4. Air Travel and Ticketing Irregularities:

The Air travel and ticketing of late has tremendously increased . Further the competitiveness opportunity for greater number of licence holders was created. The manner in which  the ticketing business is being conducted is something to be concerned. This fact is substantiated by the fact from one case testifies:

Table showing the ticketing business of one organization for a particular sector for the year 2000.

Sl.No.

Class quoted

Pax

Amount quoted

Ticket face value

Amount paid

Class traveled

1.

nil

3

69,750.00

49,255.50

258,630.00

k

2.

nil

5

66,960.00

49,250.25

417,100.00

k

3.

nil

10

68,850.00

53.660.25

688,500.00

L

What ever may be the airline or travel agent, time, foreign exchange, and place of purchase it is important that all government organization must  transact the ticketing business in accordance  with the rules. That means a quotation will have to be called and every stage of transaction must conform to decent norms and practices.

A study is being undertaken currently by Royal Audit Authority.

Chapter VII- GENERAL

1. Education and Awareness Accountability:

          Restricted circulation of rules;

During auditing ignorance and lack of awareness as to the rules and regulations are often cited as the excuse for the commission or omission. It cannot be denied that neither the Rules disseminated to all by the Administrators or adequate publicity was given. Above all education is lacking from the issuing authorities.

Further, documents of public interest and concerned are not easily accessible and  available to the interested, either free or on payment basis.

It was found necessary that there is proper system of how the rules are distributed and disseminated. Besides there must be education of the correct understanding of  rules  being organised. It is also found useful that an arrangement either through government machinery or private for all government document of public interests  be made accessible from one location, at least cost and at minimum hassle.

2. Under-utilization of our capacities

        Preparing portions of how much to bite or to chew;

Organisations are established to carry our certain specific mandate. Often programmes are not planned and formulated to carry out the mandate. The budgeting process does not fully take into account the programme aspects commensurate with the requirements of the mandate. Programme, which is operationalization of the mandate, is often not translated properly in budgeting. Audit observes that Programmes are designed by PPDs while AFDs prepare the budgets- the two are different poles in most organizations, often with a very, very weak non-existent coordination or link. The auditing is now not only confined to what is budgeted but what that organization is expected to carry out and deliver. Besides the impact of the budgeted activity will also be studied and reported upon.

3.  Copy Rights:  

Software and documents copy-right;

A considerable literature, audio-video materials etc., are turned out as outputs of projects by consultants of their work for Bhutan and government programmes planned.  As of now no collective and singular responsibility exist as to who shall own and have the legal right to such products. 

There is totally no control as to the use and the restriction of such properties  be it for academic, commercial or charitable cause. A case in point should be the domain name of Bhutan issue. Application of copyrights etc. or restrictions must be applied  even if certain revenues generated are not substantial but in the event Bhutan needs we may have to pay for these dearly.

As such, all such outputs written, audio or visual the primary  right must be retained by Bhutanese and should be protected by laws. They could be made to use only with our permission.

4. Catering and Hospitality:

Considerable expenses are incurred on hospitality and catering, as it was revealed from the auditing of the some of organisations.  There appeared no discipline on expenses. In a few cases gross collusion cannot be ruled out.

The RAA urge therefore, that all catering must be undertaken strictly as per the Procurement rules.

5. R & D, Standards, BSR:

It is urgent that Bhutan undertakes R & D, adopts standards for products and services.  Even the BSR is needed to be revised immediately. In auditing, a lot of confusion and misgiving are caused. The future BSR must not be import oriented but also take into account national area specific services and products

Further, all feasibilities to  use construction materials that can be produced from within the country on mass production be seriously undertaken such that cost would be reduced, maintenance will be easier. Use of  pre-fabricated parts and pre-cast materials for roads, drains and all solid structures, which require long life  etc.

6. Professionalism & Dedication:

lack of seriousness and professionalism in professionals;

The sense of  professionalism is still to be had in Bhutan.  E.g. an Engineer discharges the engineering assignments perfectly, finance maintains final self-discipline and control.  The auditors audit ethically and efficiently.  Judges without mercies and narrow mindedness. It must be made a regular responsibility of the professions to remind of the professional codes and ethics and that of the civil service

Most of all, the professional lapses resulted due to the failure of discharging the expected roles are found to be the major cause of inefficiency and in-effectiveness compounded further by unsound decisions, control, supervision and poor accountability.

7. Private sector and Watchdog – Institutions:

need to play greater roles and serve role model of integrity;  

Private sector and other watchdog – institutions and media are found to be complacent and often they would wish the government fight even their battle. Ministries concerned should encourage these bodies to play a more proactive and productive roles in improving the overall accountability in the society.  

These must be expected to function, as check for integrity and countercheck roles in creation of a healthier and a moral society and as the role model. 

We urge them to adopt prefer code of conduct and ethics and participate with the Royal Government in the fight against corruption.

Chapter VIII- CONCLUDING REMARKS

In view of the above and as commitment of the RAA for implementation of the Good Governance policies and practices of the Royal Government of Bhutan the RAA will ensure compliance of the policies, laws and rules with greater zeal. As such all Ministries are being informed that their actions must conform at all times with the policies, laws and rules. We would place the moral responsibility on every supervisor, trainer or teacher to minimize adverse audit paras progressively

Having said so, it is necessary that the head of agencies to direct all agencies under their jurisdiction to comply with the rules.  At the same time the Ministry of Finance may wish to review all its orders and rules. Where these have lived their life or impractical to be implemented amend or revoke.

Whatever may be the course of action taken at the end of the day, only if each one of us assumes responsibility, considers ourselves answerable and accountable ACCOUNTABILITY and INTEGRITY will have value.

The Royal Audit Authority would benefit from your indulgence to make future of the system of accountability in the country to be such that a fewer auditing will be required to ensure Good Governance for Bhutanese Public Service.

 
 

Royal Audit Authority
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