Speeches

Welcome Address on Closing Ceremony by the Hon’ble Auditor General of Bhutan

Hon’ble Chief Guest His Lordship, Venerable Yangbi Lopon, Excellencies, Dashos, Aums, audit colleagues, friends and ladies and gentlemen.  

As I take this rostrum, I stand with a great sense of achievement and confidence for a greater and more challenging another year for the RAA.  RAA which had been declared, not only shall it stand for, Royal, Audit and Authority but : Reliability, Assertive, and Accountability. May I also take this opportunity to share with you a happy news, news that is very relevant to the theme of this Conference. His Lordship has told me that the draft Penal Code has been passed by the National Assembly of Bhutan a few hours ago. How auspicious and how glad we are, as it is a good indicator that accountability will see the day. May I on behalf of all of us here express our heartfelt congratulation to the His Lordship, Hon’ble judges and officials of the High Court for the hard work that they have put in.  

 I am more convinced also because the need for accountability seems more urgent as the persons who could have made difference in ensuring accountability - PPDs & AFD’s, only a handful attended.  Further, a few critical resource speakers even failed to show up.  

We have mainly:

§          Formalized the Annual Audit plan;
§         Approved the master audit report template;
§         Approved the RAA Staff Welfare Scheme; and
§         Endorsed the Annual Audit Report  

It is also the year AG’s Advisory Series is being introduced. And more exciting events being undertaken including drafting an AG’ Act. The RAA build construction is progressing as scheduled.  

We consider this the most opportune and auspicious time to welcome Your Lordship the Chief Justice to grace this important event.   We cannot but thank the almighty for the most appropriate Guest of honour. Please accept our heartfelt Jonpar Legso. In equal measure to all our distinguished, resource persons and colleagues. I would like to extend a special welcome to Venerable Yangbi Lopon who is so gracious and was so kind to accept our request to conduct the prayers at the opening and today again at the closing.  

This is my first Annual Conference but it will be etched in my heart forever. This conference associates with the greatest moment in my career. More greater things are planned and decided for the RAA. About all these, my more competent colleagues will in due course of time appraise this august gathering.  These are made possible further by the valuable contributions received from Judiciary, Department of Budget and Accounts and the Royal Bhutan Police.  

However I cannot resist but share that in order to build a team, an all rounded one, we also organized for the first time - RAA Inter Divisional tournament for Khuru. We shall witness the award of the Rolling Trophy to the deserving winner of the 2001 is Division IV.  

In order, that we motivate and appreciate a division with the highest audit cash recovery, we shall also recognize today a division that is not only meriting but also we hope shall enthuse/create a sense of seriousness in others who must covet to be the future Award Recipients one. Therefore an award to be called AG’s Compliance Assurance Award will request be awarded by the Hon’ble Chief Guest today.  

All fun and frolic for the last several weeks must also be sealed with a commitment to move ahead in glory. I am happy once again to report that today all auditors will take a pledge of Good Conduct, Ethics and Secrecy. If Accountability is what we want everyone to pursue it must begin from here today and begin with all the auditors.  

I have every hope my colleagues shall now return to their duties with greater sense of commitment and better equipped, to face the challenges that lie ahead. I take this opportunity, with permission of the Chief Guest, to thank my audit colleagues for all that you all gave and for which I shall remain ever indebted to. Each one of you had been for me-the source of immense joy, fellowship and achievement.  

While the vote of thanks, as per conventions, will be proposed at an appropriate time I would wish to recognize all colleagues who did all the hard work in making all the programmes including this sail smoothly. Minjur, Tashi, Jigmi and all the boys and girls in front of the camera or behind. A big thank to each one of you. Also my greatest appreciation to other officers who served as Chairmen of the sessions and as Conference rapporteurs. Without dedicated hard work of each one of you, we shan’t be where we are. I thank you all.  

Insha allah, Buddha willing we shall meet in the year June-July 2002 at the Vth Annual Audit Conference lula na tsha me pa and semla dungel medpa.  

Kadrichelag.