News Archives

June

Annual Picnic and Khuru tournament

Auditors by profession have to be away in field most of the time. The time spent in office is relatively less for the individual to know each other better and have any kind of social interaction.

The Royal Audit Authority, in order to instill the spirit of togetherness and sports discipline, organized an Inter Division Khuru Tournament. All the nine divisions participated in the tournament with much zeal and enthusiasm. Initiated for the first time, the tournament will be an annual feature.

Division VI and Division IV met for the final showdown on 30^th June 2001 and Division IV walked away with the Rolling Trophy and cash prize of Nu.2,000.00 with much roar and applause after landslide victory over Division VI. The Inter Division Khuru Tournament was financed by the fund generated from the lottery sale, which was exclusively sold, to the employees of the Authority and 1% salary deduction from all the employees of Authority.

The RAA family picnicked in the cool shades of the natural woods of the Youth Center witnessing the Inter Division Khuru Tournament final with lots of other activities like treasure hunting, Antak Sheri and countless rounds of traditional dance and songs. The whole valley reverberated with the cries of celebration and jubilation that mother nature shared our joy by sprinkling light shower in the afternoon. The hearts of RAA family could not have been etched with the indelible memory of such occasion if it was not for the Hon’ble AG and his family’s magnanimity in sponsoring the picnic.

June

Auditor General becomes Dasho

His Majesty the King confers on Kunzang Wangdi, the Auditor General of Bhutan the title of Dasho

His Majesty the king conferred on Kunzang Wangdi, the Auditor General of Bhutan the title of Dasho in recognition of his dedicated service to the King and the Bhutanese people on 19th June 2001 at Tashichhodzong.

Kunzang Wangdi was born on 17th July 1953 in Ura village under Bumthang Dzongkhag. He started his informal education under the traditional education system similar to Guru-Kul system in India. He was admitted as the first batch of students at Ura primary school in 1960. After class III he was transferred to Jakar Junior High School where he completed up to class V. He opted to study in Gaopay High School, Paro until 1970, when he was selected to study in Yangchenphug High School. In 1973 he appeared for ISC Examination and stood All Bhutan First. With a B.A. (Hons) degree in English from St. Stephen’s Collage, University of Delhi in 1977, the Department of Manpower in the Ministry of Development recruited him as a trainee officer. In 1979, he was sponsored to USA to pursue further studies to study how to setup a merit based Personal System in Bhutan. He returned in 1980 with MPA from the institute of Public Administration, Pennsylvania State University. He served in various capacities in the Department of Manpower, which was later transformed into Royal Civil Service Commission in 1982. He later served in the Ministry of Trade and Industry and the Royal Institute of Management as the Director. He was appointed as the Auditor General of Bhutan on 1^st January 2001 during the major restructuring of the Government Administration System.

Besides, Dasho Kunzang Wangdi also held other important portfolios such as the President of the AMDISA, Director of Board in BoB, BNB, RICB, PCA, GWMC, the chairman of Board of Bhutan Polythene Company and was a member of National Task Force on Good Governance. He currently holds memberships in the Planning Commission, RCSC, His Majesty Kidug Fund, Board of Sustainable Development, Center of Bhutan Studies and Urban and Housing Development Committee.

He consider as his greatest pride the opportunity received from His Majesty the King in drafting of the RCSC Charter and setting of an Institutional Culture for RIM in its new complex which have far reaching impact on good Governance. He had represented Bhutan in many important regional and international meetings and conventions.

He considers the present honour received as His Majesty’s magnanimous gesture and a great honour, which further motivates him in serving the Kingdom with greater zeal and dedication. He said, “ I am greatly humbled by much kindness and recognition received from His Majesty the King which my little contributions does not merit.” He ascribes that his recognition is due to the hard work put in by His colleagues in the RCSC, MTI, RIM, RAA and the support and understanding of his family.

July

Fourth Annual Audit Conference, 2001

Inauguration  

                

The Fourth Annual Audit Conference commenced with the Chairman of the Council of Ministers and other distinguished guests, the National Anthem and traditional Marchang ceremony. The house was entertained with melodious Zhungdra ‘Thri Nyampa Mi Zhu Pemai Thri’ sung by Passang and the demonstration displaying the theme of the conference; “Accountability- A collective Responsibility” followed.

 

Auditors demonstrating the Theme of the Conference – “Accountabiltiy : A Collective Responsibility”

The Auditor General in his Annual Report to the Conference reported the house that he had found “Bhutan is the only country in the world blessed with political leadership that is genuinely committed in addressing the issue of fighting corruption and safeguarding integrity”. Capitualizing on this opportunity he urged all the auditors to follow a zero tolerance approach while auditing to ensure proper accountability of each Chetrum of the Royal Government.

The Guest of Honour, in his inaugural address said that Bhutan has developed so much within a short span of time and our development philosophy has been exemplary to other nations in the world. He reminded that corruption in our country is not a pressing issue at the moment, but it will never be the same any more. Corruption does not confine to money alone but can be in other forms like nepotism, misuse of government properties and abuse of power and authority. His Excellency said that Bhutan had been able to solicit sustained assistance from outside, mainly because of our effective and transparent system of delivery of resources and services to the intended beneficiaries bearing long-term positive impact.  

 

The Hon’ble Chief Guest declared the Conference open at the sound of Jhanga.  

September

The Royal Audit Authority Launched its Web Site 

The Royal Audit Authority has developed its Web Page to serve as a forum where Government and Public Agencies of Bhutan can download various audit forms, manuals, annual audit plans or any other information. 

The launch our Web Site will be an indication for our support to the international growth of knowledge and ability in the use of information technology. Our web page will also encourage co-operation with other Supreme Audit Institutions of the World by sharing experiences, discuss issues of common interest and espouse suggestions and intended to promote economy, efficiency, accountability, and transparency in the management and utilizations of public resources.

The JOCV resident representative, Mr. Yasuyuki Mori, formally inaugurated the RAA web site on 10th September in the RAA conference hall. 

The Royal Audit Authority can now be surfed on www.raa.gov.bt

October

Auditor General leaves for Korea to attend the 17^th INCOSAI

Dasho Kunzang Wangdi, Auditor General of Bhutan, leaves for a two weeks visit to far east to attend the 17^th INCOSAI, Korea 2001 held at Seoul accompanied by Kezang Dorji and Prem Mani Pradhan, Division Chiefs.  The INCOSAI is the International organization of the Supreme Audit Institutions of the world.

INCOSAI organizes its Congress every 3^rd year hosted by a member country.  The Seoul Conference will cover areas such as the Audit of International and supranational Institution by SAIs, and the contribution of SAIs to administrative and Government Reforms.  It is expected to be attended by all members.

The INCOSAI through its Congress, various standards and manuals and training programmes helps member countries maintain quality, reduce cost of research and provide institutional support around the world.

Bhutan became a full-fledged member of INTOSAI on 1985 the Auditor General will also visit a few SAIs in Asia including Chinese and Japanese enroute.

November

Bhutan at XVII INCOSAI, Seoul Korea

The Auditor General of Bhutan Dasho Kunzang Wangdi accompanied by two other officials attended the XVIIth INCOSAI held in Seoul, Korea from 22 – 27^th October 2001.  153 Heads of Supreme Audit Institutions and 500 participants from around the world discussed various audit issues and shared their experiences.

The most significant issue deliberated was the Audit of International and Supranational Institutions and role of SAIs in Administrative and Government Reforms. 

Another topical issue on the agenda was the possible role that SAIs can play on matters relating to issue of money laundering.

The Bhutanese delegation also visited the Board of Audit of Japan and the National Audit Office of the People’s Republic of China to observe first hand information on their auditing and reporting systems.  The delegation was impressed especially with their Training programmes at Annaka Training Centre of Japan and Huairou Training Base of the People’s Republic of China. RAA is expected to benefit from sending auditors for training in these institutes.

Friday, December 14

India and Bhutan starts a partnership in auditing

India and Bhutan will cooperate in strengthening the audit in public finances by establishing institutional links to foster technical and professional exchange between auditors in the two countries.

“The supreme audit institutes around the world share a fundamental concern for good governance and accountability,” said Mr. V. K. Shunglu, the comptroller and auditor general (C&AG) of India, who signed an MoU on the cooperation with Dasho Kunzang Wangdi, the auditor general of Bhutan, yesterday. 

He added that these institutes share the perceptions and commitment to develop appropriate responses to a fast changing global environment in which the auditors must continuously strive to keep abreast with developments in technology and government.

“This is not possible unless the supreme audit institutes consciously develop institutionlised means of learning from each other,” he said.

Dasho Kunzang Wangdi said that the signing of MoU was an “important landmark” in the history of royal audit authority and will pave way for the long-term human resource capacity building.

Under the MoU, every year two officers of the royal audit authority will be trained at the national academy of audit and accounts, Shimla, India. Further, there will be attachment of auditors for infrastructure audits in the accountant general offices in India.

So far the office of the C&AG has trained 40 officials of RAA in various fields of auditing. While in Bhutan, Mr. V. K. Shunglu also met the head of government, Lyonpo Khandu Wangchuk, finance minister Lyonpo Yeshey Zimba, and other senior government officials.

(Source: Kuenselonline)

June

Visit of Comptroller & Auditor General of India & Secretary General of ASOSAI to Bhutan

H.E. Shri, Shrimati V.K. Shunglu, The Comptroller and Auditor General (C&AG) of India and the Secretary General of ASOSAI will be visiting Bhutan for a three days official visit on 13^th December at the invitation of the Royal Government of Bhutan.

During the visit, Memorandum of Understanding for Co-operation will be signed on 14^th December 2001 between the C&AG of India and the Royal Audit Authority, to strengthen and develop bilateral co-operation aimed at improving the work methodologies and exchange of information in the audit of public finances. It is aimed at the improvement and upgradation of knowledge and skills of the auditors through the technical and professional exchanges.

The MoU will help Royal Government of Bhutan in training auditors, especially in the fields of infrastructure auditing to strengthen the professional development of RAA.

Under the MoU, every year two officers of RAA will be trained at National Academy of Audit and Accounts, Shimla in IA & AS course. This also will allow Auditors from RAA to be attached with various C&AG offices in the fields of infrastructure audit. The C &AG will conduct in-house training on a regular basis by deputing the resource persons from C&AG offices on a subject of importance to Royal Audit Authority.

The first training on ‘Public Works and Technical auditing’ will be inaugurated by the C&AG by nominating Mr. Nand Lal, Accountant General (Punjab) and Mr. Pramod Kumar, Sr. Deputy Accountant General (Rajasthan) as the resource persons for the training Program.

The C&AG will also call on the members of the Cabinet and senior officers of the Royal Government of Bhutan.

The RAA is confident that a positive impact will be created on the building of national integrity systems in both the nations by establishing institutional co-operation between the two Supreme Audit Institutes. This visit is expected to further strengthen the long, stable and strong relationship between India and Bhutan.

December

Important decisions taken during the 30th Meeting of Governing Board of ASOSAI

The 30th Governing Board Meeting of the ASOSAI, earlier scheduled from Sep. 29th to Oct. 3, 2001 at Kuwait, was rescheduled and was held at Seoul, Korea, on October 21, 2001.

Minutes of the 29th Governing Board Meeting were confirmed during this meeting. Other important decisions taken were as follows:

    1. VI ASOSAI Research Project:

For the VI ASOSAI research Project, two additional topics "  Social Audit of Rural Development Promoters " and " Audit to Measure the Impact of Foreign Assistance on Social and Economic Growth in Developing Countries " were suggested.

    2. Date and Venue of the next Governing Board Meeting:

The Governing Board decided to hold the next (31st) meeting of the ASOSAI Governing Board at Manila, Philippines, from Oct. 22-24, 2002.

    3. INTOSAI Governing Board Membership:

The Governing Board decided to nominate SAI - Japan and SAI - India as the nominees of ASOSAI for the INTOSAI Governing Board.