Civil Accounts Day is annually observed across India on 1 March to mark the Foundation Day of the Indian Civil Accounts Service (ICAS), one of the Civil Services functioning under the Department of Expenditure, Ministry of Finance (MoF).
- 1 March 2024 marks the observance of the 48th Civil Accounts Day.
Background:
i.In 1976, the Government of India spearheaded a crucial reform in Public Financial Administration, separating Audit and Accounts functions. This led to the establishment of ICAS.
- ICAS was constituted in 1976 and is headed by the Controller General of Accounts (CGA) of India.
ii.On 1 March 1976, the President of India promulgated 2 Ordinances to initiate the process of separation of accounts from audit.
- The Comptroller and Auditor General(C&AG)’s (Duties, Powers and Conditions of Service) Amendment Ordinance, 1976;
- The Departmentalisation of Union Accounts (Transfer of Personnel) Ordinance, 1976, to initiate the process of separation of accounts from audit and paving the way for departmentalised accounts.
iii.The Act was deemed to have come into force on March 1, 1976. Since then, March 1 has been celebrated as “Civil Accounts Day” or “Foundation Day of ICAS”.
Note: The ICAS was created by carving out from the Indian Audit & Accounts Service (IA & AS).
ICAS Driving Digital Reforms:
ICAS has been at the forefront of Public Financial Management reforms, utilising digital technology, notably the development and management of the Public Financial Management System (PFMS).
Public Financial Management System (PFMS):
PFMS, formerly Central Plan Schemes Monitoring System (CPSMS), is a web-based online software application developed and implemented by the Office of CGA.
Aim:
- To establish an efficient fund flow system and payment cum accounting network.
- Provides a real-time, reliable management information system and an effective decision support system, as part of the Digital India initiative of GoI.
Evolution and Objectives:
Inception: PFMS originated in 2009 as a Central Sector Scheme of the Planning Commission.
- Focused on tracking funds released under all Plan scheme of Government of India (GoI), and real-time reporting of expenditure at all levels of Programme implementation.
Expansion: In 2013, it broadened its scope to encompass direct payments to beneficiaries under Plan and non-Plan Schemes.
Functionality Enhancements:
i.Significant improvements started in 2014, aiming for digitisation of accounts and gradual integration of diverse financial activities of the GoI.
ii.PFMS began with Pay & Accounts Offices payments and expanded progressively.
2024 Events:
On 1 March 2024, the CGA celebrated the 48th Civil Accounts Day at Vigyan Bhawan in New Delhi, Delhi. Dr. T.V. Somanathan, Finance Secretary and Secretary, Department of Expenditure, Ministry of Finance, presided over the celebrations as the Chief Guest.
- PFMS website was launched during the inaugural function and awards were distributed under different categories.
Key People:
Officers and staff of the Indian Civil Accounts Organisation, Secretaries, Financial Advisers of the GoI, and other dignitaries from various sectors graced the event.
Panel Discussions:
3-panel discussions were organised during the day on the following:
- Way forward for Indian Civil Accounts Organisation.
- Banking interface with the Government for improving service delivery.
- PFMS as an aid to cash management and Data Driven Governance – with focus on the Single Nodal Agency (SNA) Sparsh.
About Controller General of Accounts (CGA)
CGA– S. S. Dubey
Headquarters– New Delhi, Delhi
