Departments directed to align expenditures with AG figures

Srinagar: The Jammu and Kashmir administration has issued strict directives to departments to eliminate discrepancies between their actual expenditure and the figures to be reported by the Accountant General. The administration has expressed serious concern over the significant mismatches observed in previous years. “This issue has been viewed seriously. Care must be taken to ensure that accurate and duly reconciled expenditure is reflected in the specified forms,” read the government’s directive. In a related development, preparations have commenced for the upcoming J&K budget, which will mark its presentation in the Legislative Assembly after a gap of six years. This will occur during the next budget session, once convened by the new government.
To ensure a smooth process, the Finance Department has instructed all administrative departments, Heads of Departments (HODs), Budget Controlling Officers, and Drawing and Disbursing Officers (DDOs) to initiate the preparation of the 2025-26 budget. The aim is to facilitate the timely review, compilation, and submission of estimates to the Finance Department.
“Administrative departments must carefully scrutinize estimates and forward their recommendations to the Finance Department by November 20, 2024,” stated the directive. Revenue-generating departments have been specifically asked to submit their data in the prescribed format. Administrative Secretaries have also been tasked with ensuring that budget proposals from each HOD are submitted by the deadline, with a separate calendar to be issued for budget discussions.
The government has emphasized the need for completeness and accuracy in the budget proformas, including those detailing revenue and capital expenditure (Capex). “Proposals must be submitted in soft copies, and incomplete submissions or those not adhering to the guidelines will not be accepted,” the instructions stated.
Additionally, all corporations have been directed to submit comprehensive financial reports. These should include profit and loss statements, expenditure records, audit details, utilization certificates, and updates from the latest board meetings. Information on budgets, revenue realization plans, and bank balances must also be provided.
These measures reflect the administration’s commitment to ensuring fiscal discipline and transparency across all departments and corporations.