Don’t refuse posting in far-flung areas, officers told

[caption id="attachment_281721" align="aligncenter" width="600"] Dr. Longrineken speaks at the 15th General Conference of Nagaland Finance and Accounts Service Association (NFASA) in the conference hall of Directorate of Treasuries and Accounts in Kohima on November 6.[/caption] Dimapur, Nov. 6 (EMN): The advisor of Treasuries and Accounts, National Highway, Dr. Longrineken on Wednesday stated that the department is the 'backbone of the government' and appealed to the officers and staff” to be sincere, dedicated in their service and not to refuse posting in far-flung areas.” The advisor was speaking at the 15th General Conference of Nagaland Finance and Accounts Service Association (NFASA) with the motto “Upholding Fiscal Discipline” held at the conference hall of Directorate of Treasuries and Accounts in Kohima on November 6, informed an update from DIPR. While assuring that he would look into the issue of “shortage of officers in various departments”, he "encouraged the officers to do justice to their service by giving support and guidance to improve the working structure." Chief Secretary of Nagaland, Temjen Toy, though unable to attend the conference, stated through a letter that in the "sphere of government functioning, finance is the key component that determines the success of most of the other key factors." He added that the officers were the 'right hand men' of the state exchequer, requiring quality and high standard from its members. Toy also encouraged the officers to "keep up with the changing times" as the inescapable impact of technology would affect the functioning in areas such as the National Pension Scheme, P1MS, computerisation of treasuries, direct benefits transfer etc. He advised the officers to keep themselves well acquainted with the rules and procedures and "render the right advice and guidance" apart from being the "driving forces of change and progress". Kesonyu Yhome, secretary of the Finance department, said that no other association has been given a "greater responsibility, authority and duty to ensure that the state remains within the framework of maintaining the financial and fiscal discipline." The association is responsible for enforcing the rules and regulations of the state government and at the same time, ensuring the accounting system is executed efficiently, he added. Yhome further informed that "standards of fiscal discipline has to be routed through the members of the association" while adding that the government is being affected due to 'wrong investment and expenditure'. He expressed hope that the conference would "revive the resolution in maintaining professionalism and upholding the highest standard of fiscal discipline." The president of NFASA, RN Yanthan, in his address, stated that the association was established in 1980 “with an objective to promote cordial relationship with the government administration." He said that the department is facing a shortage of 75 officers due to which the directorate administration is also falling short on officers owing to "continuous retirement but no promotion." He further highlighted that the department should enforce its regulation by posting account officers to 82 major departments besides divisional accounts officers who are posted to 104 working division under cheque drawing department. He also urged the association authority to support the department by providing proper infrastructure and also imparting financial management training within and outside the country.