The Union Ministry of Home Affairs has taken a significant step by appointing an Internal Financial Advisor (IFA) in the Home Department of Jammu and Kashmir. The IFA has been entrusted with several critical financial responsibilities, including budget coordination and management, expenditure planning, and the monitoring and evaluation of various projects and schemes.

In light of this development, the Home Department of Jammu and Kashmir has issued a comprehensive set of guidelines outlining the powers and responsibilities of the IFA. Additionally, the department has directed all Heads of Departments (HoDs) under its administrative control to strictly adhere to these guidelines, ensuring streamlined financial operations and compliance.

“All exercises of delegated financial powers must be carried out in consultations with the IFA, in consonance with the orders of delegation of financial powers issued by the MHA in favour of HoDs of the Home Department. The HoDs will submit budget proposals to the Home Department, J&K, which in turn shall be referred to the IFA for consultation/concurrence before submission to the MHA, with IFA having the Central coordination role,” officials told the Excelsior.

According to the Home Department, the Internal Financial Advisor (IFA) will play a pivotal role in the appraisal, monitoring and evaluation of projects and schemes in consultation with the department. Additionally, the IFA will serve as the Member Secretary of the Standing Finance Committee and Investment Boards, further strengthening financial governance.

The Home Department has instructed all departments to prevent idle cash build-up by strictly following the monthly and quarterly expenditure plans prepared by the IFA. Furthermore, it emphasised that any financial proposals requiring reference to the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) must first receive the IFA’s concurrence. The IFA will ensure financial compliance by providing detailed views and recording specific opinions on such proposals.

“The Departments must maintain updated Asset Registers and ensure proper stock-taking as per the IFA’s oversight. Sanction of procurement of items specified in the delegation of financial powers including acceptance of necessity for such procurement must be invariably issued in consultations with the IFA and the head of the finance wing at the HoD level. The IFA posted in the department may be appropriately involved in subsequent stages of procurement having a financial bearing,” the Home Department order read.

The Home Department has mandated that any proposals exceeding the delegated financial powers of the Heads of Departments (HoDs) must be submitted to the department along with the concurrence and recommendations of the Internal Financial Advisor (IFA). Additionally, HoDs are required to provide all relevant records, reports, and files as requested by the IFA to facilitate effective financial oversight and decision-making.

“The proposals which require reference to the Finance Department, General Administration Department and Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs shall continue to be processed as per the existing procedure in vogue,” the order said.