PAC forms panels to discuss arrears of ministries, constitutional bodies

Arrears amounting to Rs 290.53 bn yet to be settled

Kathmandu, March 30

Public Accounts Committee of the Federal Parliament has formed eight sub-committees to discuss arrears of the Office of the President, Office of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers, Federal Parliament Secretariat, ministries, constitutional bodies and other entities.

According to the PAC, a three- member sub-committee led by lawmaker Dharmashila Chapagain will look into the arrears of the Office of the President, OPMCM, Ministry of Communications and Information Technology and Ministry of Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs. A four-member sub-committee headed by lawmaker Rajendra Kumar KC has been assigned to hold discussion on irregular amount of the Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation and Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Likewise, lawmaker Lekhraj Bhatta has headed a three-member sub-committee for discussion on arrears of the Ministry of Agricultural and Livestock Development, Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Supplies, Ministry of Youth and Sports. Public Service Commission and Judicial Council. A three-member sub-committee led by lawmaker Birodh Khatiwada will see the irregular amount of the Ministry of Home Affairs, Ministry of Women, Children and Senior Citizens, Ministry of Defence and Commission for the Investigation of Abuse of Authority.

Similarly, lawmaker Hridayash Tripathi will lead a three-member sub-committee to discuss the irregular amount of the Supreme Court, Ministry of Physical Infrastructure and Transport, Ministry of Land Reform, Cooperatives and Poverty Alleviation and the Office of the Vice-president. The PAC has mandated a three-member sub-committee led by Parbata DC Chaudhary to look into the irregular amount of the National Planning Commission, Ministry of Education, Science and Technology, Ministry of Forests and Environment, Ministry of Federal Affairs and General Administration and the Office of the Auditor General.

A three-member sub-committee led by lawmaker Krishna Lal Maharjan has been assigned to discuss the irregular amount of the Election Commission, Ministry of Health and Ministry of Labour and the Office of the Attorney General. Similarly, a three-member sub-committee led by Minendra Prasad Rijal will discuss the irregular amount of the Ministry of Urban Development, Ministry of Water Supply and Sanitation, National Human Rights Commission and Ministry of Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation.

According to Economic Survey 2017/18 conducted by the Ministry of Finance, total arrears amounting to Rs 290.53 billion of government bodies, public enterprises and other corporate entities, local levels and district coordination committees have yet to be settled up to the fiscal 2016/17.