Sinha releases FD’s report on good governance
*Ensure revenue up by 5 pc
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, May 19: Lieutenant Governor, Manoj Sinha today released ‘Annual Report- Promoting Good Governance’ compiled by the Finance Department showcasing major initiatives undertaken by the Department during 2020-21 to bring transparency and accountability in the execution of the public works.
Arun Kumar Mehta, Financial Commissioner, Finance Department; and Nitishwar Kumar, Principal Secretary to the Lt Governor were present on the occasion.
The report in the form of e-book provides insight into reforms and steps implemented by the Finance Department to institutionalize prudence in financial management in J&K which has truly transformed the Union Territory.
The document captures the essence of reforms such as online processing of bills through PaySys, streamlining of GST, e-stamping, e-GRAS, e-auction of liquor licences for retail outlets, digital payments, implementation of GeM, path-breaking reforms in J&K Bank, publication of important manuals relating to Budget and Audit, Back to Village and My Town My Pride initiatives and 100% physical verification which is most vital initiative to ensure implementation of projects without cost and time over-runs.
“Promoting good governance in the financial management has been one of the core objectives of the Government. Financial system in the Union Territory of J&K is one of the most transparent systems anywhere and is amongst the key changes that have taken roots in the Union Territory”, the Lt Governor observed.
Highlighting major reforms taken by the Government to bring transparency in the financial system and making it more robust, the he said that implementation of transformative reforms such as BEAMS (Budget Estimation and Allocation Monitoring System), which enables online budgetary process and timely release of funds against approved works, online submission of bills through J&K PaySys, Mandatory Administrative Approvals, Technical Sanctions and e-Tendering, digital payments, GFR, GeM etc have brought financial systems in J&K at par with any other progressive system in the country.
Unprecedented levels of transparency have been achieved through EMPOWERMENT (Enabling Monitoring and Public Overview of Works Being Executed & Resources for Meaningful Transparency) which is a web portal hosting all the works being executed in the UT of J&K and allows public oversight of all works under execution, Sinha said.
Publication of pictorial e-compendiums related to projects completed under Back to Village, District Capex, UT Capex and JKIDFC is a symbol of desire of the Government to engage with the citizens. This is the first time in the Union Territory of J&K that people are able to oversee works being executed in their areas and progress monitored on real-time basis. During 2020-21, more than 18,000 works were available on the EMPOWERMENT portal for the first time in J&K for public viewing to bring real grass root empowerment, he added.
“Our Government believes in the mantra of four P’s – Peace, Progress, Prosperity, and People-first, for the holistic development and to make Jammu and Kashmir AatmaNirbhar”, the Lt Governor said.
It was informed that the Goods and Service Tax (GST) revenue collections in the Financial Year 2020-21 has shown positive growth despite constraints witnessed during the initial months of the fiscal year due to Covid-led restrictions. GST collections in the Union Territory had plummeted by more than 70 percent Year-on-Year (YoY) during the lockdown months of April, May, and June last year. Gross GST revenue collections including settlement for the Financial Year 2020-21 in J&K stood at Rs 4890.35 crores against a total gross GST collection of Rs 4750.60 crores in the Financial Year 2019-20, thus registering a positive growth of 2.94 percent.
Despite Covid related periods of restrictions, the Excise Revenue collection in 2020-21 grew at 5.36%. Total excise revenue generated during 2020-21 stood at Rs 1353.43 crores.
One of the major transformations witnessed was the timely payments from Treasuries. This was one of the hallmarks of treasury management in 2020-21. The unhealthy practice of clearing of contractor bills, GPF, Gratuity etc after months were completely stopped and payments were made within a day invariably. Delay reports at the level of DDOs and Treasuries are being institutionalized to avoid delays in due payments. Revised Audit Manual, Budget Manual and Treasury Code have been notified by the Government to streamline expenditure and payment systems.
Government of J&K has made electronic mode of payments mandatory without involving any cash transactions from 2020-21. Promotion of digital payment ensured transparency, timeliness, and accountability in transaction of Government business and complete streamlining of payment systems across the Union Territory. The payment in DBT mode has also been made mandatory which has led to a great impact on timely payments to more than 80 lakh beneficiaries. With the introduction of the just-in-time payment system through DBT, nearly 2 lakh duplicate cases of beneficiaries under PDS have been weeded out and 4.5 lakh silent beneficiaries have been deactivated.
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