President Paudel Receives Auditor General's Report, Expresses Concern Over Rising Government Expenditure Irregularities

Kathmandu. The annual report of the Auditor General for the fiscal year 2081/082 has been presented to President Ram Chandra Paudel. The Auditor General Toyam Raya presented the report at a program organized at Shital Niwas, the President's residence, on Friday. Upon receiving the report, President Paudel expressed serious concern over the increasing irregularities in government expenditure in the country for a long time. Speaking on the occasion, President Paudel stated that looking at the irregularities in government expenditure, it is felt that the accountability, transparency, and financial discipline of public bodies have declined. He said, 'I see the need for more accountability from the officials of public bodies to move forward in the direction of settling irregularities and establishing financial discipline.' He expressed confidence that only by discouraging irregular government expenditure and establishing financial discipline can the aspirations of the younger generation for sustainable peace, good governance, development, and prosperity in the country be fulfilled. President Paudel opined that the issues raised in the report will make the concerned bodies and stakeholders more aware of accountability. He mentioned that the role of the Office of the Auditor General is important in reducing the increasing irregularities in government expenditure and maintaining financial discipline. He emphasized that the Office of the Auditor General should be more active in enhancing institutional capacity, professional competence, and maintaining internal good governance in the coming days.