The constitutional anti-graft body has also asked the ministries not to implement programs that did not feature in the budget and without clear technical cost estimates and other details.[break]
CIAA has also asked the ministries not to start implementing new programs, which merely adds cost to the country but do not generate returns to the country, at the end of the fiscal year.
The CIAA issued the fresh instructions after media reported that the Ministry of Finance (MoF) was receiving massive budget requests at the last hour. Officials said such programs largely serve interests of political leaders rather than fulfilling genuine needs of the people.
MoF had recently informed the Public Accounts Committee of the parliament that it was receiving around 200 requests each day, seeking budget for new programs or least priority areas.
It had complained that local and national level political figures, including lawmakers from different constituencies, were mainly approaching the Finance Minister, Secretary and officers of Budget Division, pushing for the release of budget on personal programs.
Placing demand for non-budgetary programs and seeking additional budget for least prioritized projects at the final hour of the fiscal year is a common trend. But experts raise questions over genuine spending and effectiveness of such programs.
MoF´s own assessment is that such last hour disbursements are nothing but leakages and that they cause arrears to swell.
According to the Office of the Auditor General, the government can lower arrears by about 40 percent by checking such practices.
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