Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Apr 3: After keeping in abeyance the Pay and Accounts System (PAO), the Finance Department today also directed the treasuries to switch to old practice for payment of salaries instead of BEAMS (Budgetary Expenditure And Management System).
The PAO and BEAMS systems had been introduced by former Finance Minister Dr Haseeb Drabu, who was removed last month for alleged controversial remarks on Kashmir situation.
An order issued today by Director General, Accounts and Treasuries, Finance Department, said the Department has received information that several technical issues related to software, incorrect codes, non availability of internet access at various treasuries has been causing difficulties in operation of salary and other related expenditure through BEAMS.
“In view of this, the treasury officers have been advised that salary and other expenditures be continue to be made as per the old practice till the difficulties are removed by the National Informatics Centre,” the order said.
Immediately after taking over as Finance Minister, Syed Altaf Bukhari had kept the PAO system in abeyance.
Meanwhile, sources said, payments worth crores continued to be held up due to alleged mismanagement in the system of treasuries, sources said.
Meanwhile, Finance Minister Altaf Bukhari told the Excelsior that fiscal reforms will continue and BEAMS will be revived at the earliest possible after technical and other glitches, which have surfaced in the system, are removed.
“The fiscal reforms will continue. There is no going back on this (the reforms). We will also revive BEAMS at the earliest after overcoming the difficulties, which have been observed in its implementation,’’ Bukhari said.
Pointing out that Jammu and Kashmir is the only second State after New Delhi to implement BEAMS, the Finance Minister said the BEAMS has only been temporarily kept in abeyance due to internet connectivity issues in Kashmir and incorrect application of codes in Jammu.
Bukhari said the Finance Department has switched over to old system to ensure that salaries, relief, pensions etc continued to be paid to the people.
Meanwhile, sources said the issue of double payments to some contractors was also hushed up at Saddar Treasury Jammu on last day of the financial year and no action has been taken against the officials responsible for the lapse. By opening adjoining Jammu and Kashmir Bank branch at Town Hall during mid-night, the selective staff made corrections and withdrew excessive amount.
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