The Union Minister of State for Panchayati Raj, Shri Kapil Moreshwar Patil, virtually launched the Action Taken Report (ATR) Module of AuditOnline. This module, developed by the Ministry of Panchayati Raj, aims to streamline the audit process and ensure transparency in addressing audit findings. The launch event was attended by senior officials from the Ministry, the Office of the Comptroller & Auditor General of India, and representatives from the Directorate of Local Fund Audit and State Panchayati Raj Departments.
Enhancing Accountability with the ATR Module:
The ATR Module is a crucial addition to the existing AuditOnline application, which was introduced on April 15, 2020, to enable online audits of Panchayat accounts and promote financial management and transparency. The primary objective of the ATR Module is to provide a well-organized approach to conducting audits and ensure clear documentation of the steps taken to address audit findings.
Progress and Achievements:
The AuditOnline application has made significant progress since its launch, with over 200,000 Audit Reports generated for the periods 2020-21 and 2021-22. Currently, 256,795 Panchayats are registered on the platform, with 211,278 PRI Audit Reports generated for the audit period 2021-22. These efforts align with the mandate of the XV Finance Commission, which requires audited accounts for all tiers of Panchayats for the fiscal year 2023-24.
Fostering Digital Governance at the Grassroots Level:
During the launch event, the Union Minister of State for Panchayati Raj emphasized the importance of digital governance at the grassroots level. He urged all States and Union Territories to prioritize Panchayat account audits to meet the criteria set by the Fifteenth Finance Commission. The ATR Module of AuditOnline plays a pivotal role in promoting accountability, efficiency, empowerment, and corruption-free practices at the Gram Panchayat level across the country.
Understanding AuditOnline:
AuditOnline is an application developed as part of the Panchayat Enterprise Suite (PES) under the e-panchayat Mission Mode Project (MMP), initiated by the Ministry of Panchayati Raj. It facilitates the financial audit of accounts at various levels, including District, Block, and Village Panchayats, Urban Local Bodies (ULB), and Line departments. The application also maintains a record of past audits, including details of auditors and audit teams involved. The information is available in the public domain and can be utilized by other PES applications.
Advantages of the ATR Module:
The introduction of the ATR Module in AuditOnline brings several benefits to the audit process. It provides a structured approach, ensuring clarity on the actions taken in response to audit findings. The module enhances accountability by documenting the measures implemented to address any discrepancies or issues highlighted during the audit. This transparency fosters trust among stakeholders and strengthens financial management practices within Panchayats.