Army Chief General Moeen U Ahmed yesterday asked the Audit Department to introduce a new system for settling the pensions of retired government officers or military personnel within two to three months of their retirement.
Moeen made these comments while speaking as the chief guest at the joint launching of the Controller General Defence Finance Procedure Manual 2007 and the Audit and Accounts Practices Handbook 2006-2007, Volume 2 (Defence Finance).
The launching, held at the Audit Building, was also attended by Navy Chief Vice Admiral Sarwar Jahan Nizam, Air Force Chief Air Marshal SM Ziaur Rahman and Comptroller and Auditor General Asif Ali among other military and civil service high-ups.
The manual and the handbook, updated from the 1955 version, were prepared under supervision of the comptroller and auditor general, with separate manuals for all the sub-sections in the defence finance department.
The army chief observed that payment of the pensions to the retired government or military employees is often neglected. He stressed the need for fixing a certain period of time to settle the pensions.
Lauding the publication of the manual and the handbook, Moeen said that this would help make defence expenditure more accountable and transparent as well as help check irregularities and corruption.
The general said the Comptroller General for Defence Finance's role to enforce discipline in military financial management is very important as regular payment of a soldier's salary and allowances is closely related to their attention to duties.
Moeen observed that as the government watchdog for all government spending, the Audit Office plays an important role. However, it alone cannot fulfil this duty and needs to work closely with the Anti-Corruption Commission, he added.
The army chief said that their role is of particular importance at this time when the government is trying to eradicate bureaucratic corruption and irregularities.
Moeen also promised expansion of the Defence Finance department organogram to match the expanding army, navy and the air force.
Comptroller and Auditor General Asif Ali and Defence Secretary Kamrul Hasan also spoke on the occasion.