Pranab calls for computer auditing of defence accounts

New Delhi, Sep 15 (UNI) Defence Minister Pranab Mukherjee today asked the Defence Accounts Department to imbibe the best international practices relating to internal audit and go for computer auditing of accounts.

''With greater devolution of financial powers, the role of internal audit will need to be further reinforced,'' Mr Mukherjee told a meeting of the Consultative Committee attached to his Ministry.

''Along with the traditional methods of audit, the Department will also need to explore emerging frontiers such as audit through computers,'' he said.

The Minister said the Department should examine the efficiency of existing oversight mechanism with a view to identifying and managing risks.

Some of the members opined that the problem of shortage of staff in the Department should be addressed immediately.

One member was of the opinion that the Department should hold more pension adalats across the country.

Another member suggested that the Department should also hold some pension adalats on fixed dates and places every year.

Complimenting the 260-year-old Department, Mr Mukherjee said it had ensured that the benefits introduced by the government for the defence pensioners from time to time were delivered to the intended beneficiaries promptly, efficiently and in right measures.

During 2005-06, the Department made pension payments to about 2.1 million ex-servicemen and other retired defence personnel.

Members of Parliament who attended the meeting were Mr Jyotiraditya M Scindia, Mr Suresh Kalmadi, Mr Naveen Jindal, Mr M A Kharabela Swain, Mr Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, Mrs Jayaben B Thakkar, Mr Braja Kishore Tripathy, Mr Kailash Nath Singh Yadav, Mr Shankhlal Majhi and Mr Madhu Goud Yaskhi (all Lok Sabha) and Mrs Sushma Swaraj, Mr K Jana Krishnamurty, Mr Robert Kharshiing and Mr Santosh Bagrodia (all Rajya Sabha).

Minister of State for Defence M M Pallam Raju and Minister of State for Defence Production Rao Inderjit Singh also attended the meeting.

UNI YJ VA KN1743