Bills Worth Rs 36220 Crore Awaiting Settlement with Departments, Including AC, DC, and GIA

Bills Worth Rs 36220 Crore Awaiting Settlement with Departments, Including AC, DC, and GIA

Asif Iqbal | October 12, 2023 | 09:00 AM IST | Jammu Kashmir | Follow on Google News

Bills Worth Rs 36220 Crore Awaiting Settlement with Departments, Including AC, DC, and GIA

Chaos in Bill Settlement

The Government of the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir is grappling with a mounting crisis of unsettled bills, specifically Abstract Contingent (AC), Detailed Contingent (DC), and Grant-in-Aid (GIA) bills worth an astronomical Rs 36,220 crore. The issue has raised significant concerns within the administration and triggered a warning of stern action if the situation does not improve.

Review and Resolution Efforts

The Director General of Accounts and Treasuries is taking proactive measures to address the crisis. In an attempt to resolve the crisis, the Director General will convene a meeting with the Director Finance, Financial Advisor, and Chief Accounts Officers of all Administrative Departments. This gathering aims to review and strategize for the effective settlement of these pending bills and utilization certificates.

Chronic Delays and Monitoring

The list of these pending bills has been relayed to Administrative Departments regularly since January 2023, urging the submission of Red Detailed Contingent Bills and Utilization Certificates. The Principal Secretary to the Government, Finance Department, is meticulously monitoring the progress on a weekly basis. Moreover, a structured format has been shared with the concerned Administrative Departments to facilitate tracking of their progress.

Grave Consequences Looming

Regrettably, the concerned Administrative Departments have failed to provide the requested information. This failure to cooperate has been perceived as a significant roadblock in addressing the issue and has drawn serious attention from the authorities. The government is adamant that further inaction on this front will be reported to higher authorities, with the possibility of severe consequences.

Alarming Figures and Urgent Action

The latest figures indicate that as of September 2023, the outstanding AC and Grant-in-Aid Bills have reached alarming levels. The situation is dire as the opening balance for quarter 6/2023 was Rs 19,212 crore, and the closing balance was Rs 20,678 crore. Similarly, for quarter 9/2023, the opening balance was Rs 20,678 crore, escalating to a closing balance of Rs 21,327 crore.

This poses a clear challenge as the settlement of bills falls far behind the rate at which new bills are being added to the list of pending ones.Regarding the GIA Bills, for quarter 6/2023, there was an opening balance of Rs 14,273 crore, and the closing balance was Rs 14,001 crore. However, by quarter 9/2023, the opening balance remained the same but the closing balance surged to a substantial Rs 14,893 crore worth of bills.

The situation at hand is an urgent concern for the Government of the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir. The intervention and resolution measures outlined by the Director General of Accounts and Treasuries, alongside the government’s stern warning, underline the gravity of this financial challenge.

Asif Iqbal

Asif Iqbal is a seasoned news writer with a passion for delivering the latest updates to the public. Currently serving as the senior writer at VoM News, a prominent news outlet known for its comprehensive coverage of diverse topics, Asif has established himself as a reliable source of information. With a keen eye for detail and a knack for storytelling, he consistently provides readers with well-crafted articles that cover a wide range of news categories. His dedication to journalistic integrity and his commitment to staying ahead of the news curve make him an invaluable asset to Vom News, ensuring that readers are always well-informed on the issues that matter most. You can find his work and stay updated on current events by visiting vomnews.in.