Mr Jawahar Thakur has taken over as the new Controller General of Accounts (CGA).

A 1979-batch Indian Civil Accounts Service officer, Mr Thakur has played a key role in the area of developing an effective financial management information system, his latest initiative being the complete computerisation of revenue accounting in the Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT).

In the Department of Expenditure, Mr Thakur stressed that accounting information should be available on real time basis to enable informed decision-making. Some of his initiatives include extending the coverage of electronic payments to ensure quick and transparent disbursements, comprehensive relook at the chart of accounts to make it more informative and improving the effectiveness of internal audit for better financial management in the Government.

Mr Thakur is also credited with making efforts to bring down unspent balances lying in various bank accounts by suggesting fund-tracking, expenditure management and monitoring of funds flow on the non-Plan side as well. (The Hindu)