Principal Accountant General’s office organises cleanliness drives, blood donation camps, educational lectures
Srinagar, Nov 17 (KNO): The Office of the Principal Accountant General (PAG), Jammu and Kashmir, launched Audit Diwas 2024 on November 16, Saturday, which was followed by an Audit Week on Sunday and will continue till Thursday, November 21, 2024.
With events planned across both the Head Office in Srinagar and the Branch Office in Jammu, the celebrations aim to foster greater awareness and participation in the vital role of public auditing in ensuring transparency, accountability and good governance, a PAG official informed the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO)
He said that Audit Diwas, celebrated annually on November 16, recognises the indispensable contributions of the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) of India in promoting a culture of financial integrity and governance in the country. The occasion highlights the importance of public auditing and its role in safeguarding public funds and ensuring effective service delivery to the citizens.
This year marks the third edition of Audit Diwas since its inception in 2021. The observance of Audit Diwas draws attention to the rich history of auditing in India, which dates back to 1858 when the Office of the Accountant General was established following the British Crown's assumption of direct control over India. In 1860, Sir Edward Drummond was appointed as the first Auditor General, laying the foundations for institutionalized auditing in the country.
Following the formal observance of Audit Diwas, the Office of the Principal Accountant General has organised a series of community-centred activities during Audit Week 2024 to engage stakeholders and promote the value of auditing in society. These events will be held in both Srinagar and Jammu, ensuring widespread participation, the official said.
The key highlights of the Audit Week include:
Audit Run and Cleanliness Drive at Dal Lake: Aimed at promoting environmental awareness, this initiative invites participants to join a run around the iconic Dal Lake, followed by a cleanliness drive to highlight the importance of environmental responsibility alongside financial transparency.
Blood Donation Camp: In keeping with the spirit of public service, a blood donation camp will be organized to contribute to the welfare of the community, supporting healthcare needs in the region.
Lectures on Emerging Technologies and Pension-related Issues: A series of educational lectures will be held to engage stakeholders on two crucial topics—emerging technologies in auditing and public sector pension schemes. These sessions are designed to inform employees, pensioners, and the public about the evolving landscape of auditing and financial management.
Pension Adalat: A dedicated session for pensioners will be organized to address grievances, clarify queries, and ensure that pension-related issues are resolved promptly and effectively.
Creative Competitions: The celebrations will also include cultural and creative activities to foster community involvement. A painting competition for students will provide a platform for young artists to showcase their talent, while a rangoli competition for employees’ spouses aims to engage families in the festivities and encourage artistic expression.
The celebrations are being designed to involve a wide range of stakeholders, including government employees, pensioners, students and the general public. Both the Head Office in Srinagar and the Branch Office in Jammu will host various events to ensure that the spirit of Audit Diwas reaches across Jammu and Kashmir, the PAG official said—(KNO)