To strengthen its internal financial control mechanisms, the Jaintia Hills Autonomous District Council (JHADC) will create internal audit wings to be led by an Internal Audit Officer from the next financial year.
There was criticism from the Comptroller and Auditor General last year that the three district councils in the state were behind in the submission of their financial accounts for statutory auditing and had performed poorly in various checks and procedures.
Today, JHADC Chief Executive Member Thombor Shiwat said that the internal audit wings will help to ensure that no fraud takes place within the council. The officer in charge will be supported by four others deputed from existing JHADC staff.
Meanwhile, to reduce costs and streamline the workings of the council, Shiwat informed that the Fishery and Agriculture Department has been subsumed into the Market Department.
Regarding the JHADC’s development activities, Shiwat said that, though the council does not have sufficient funds of its own to carry out the work, he hoped that financial support from the central government will help plug the gap and he promised to continue to put pressure on the state government to release the council’s share of state taxes.
