:: Launching of the Entity Wide Audit (EWA) Hand Book

Hon'ble Adviser, Ministries of Finance and Planning, Commerce and Post and Telecommunication Dr. A. B. Mirza Md. Azizul Islam launched the Entity Wide Audit (EWA) Hand Book on June 10, 2007 at the office of the Comptroller and Auditor General, the Audit Bhaban as the chief guest. Ranjit Kumar Chakraborty, Project Director of the Financial Management Reform Programme (FMRP); Finance Secretary Dr. Mohammad Tareque and Comptroller and Auditor General Asif Ali spoke on the occasion.

 

Niaz Rahman, Director, Management Information Systems made a brief presentation on the activities of the CAG office while Ms. Farmeen Mowla, National Consultant, Financial Management Reform Programme (FMRP) Project and EWA Audit team leader presented a briefing on EWA activities.

Hon'ble Adviser after unfolding the EWA Hand Book emphasised on effective performance audit to measure the appropriate spending by the ministries in conformity with the purposes for which budgetary allocations have been made. He stressed on

•  effective implementation of EWA to be followed by a change in the age old traditional mindset of both the auditors and the auditees

•  whole hearted co-operation of the ministries to derive benefits from the indepth assessments delivered by EWA

•  determination of credit and discredit features of the managements across the government through appropriate quantification of the outputs

He thanked the CAG office for making significant strides in introducing modern auditing approaches and expressed his willingness to visit the CAG office quite after and in informal fashion.

CAG Asif Ali touched upon

•  the successful implementation of CAG's Strategic Plan 2003-2006

•  launching of CAG's Strategic Plan (2007-2012)

•  effective appreciation of modern auditing approaches like value for money or performance audit, social audit, environmental audit, forensic audit, certification audit through effective EWA starting at the office of the Secretary of a ministry and vertically going down to the ministry controlled departments and offices

Ranjit Kumar Chakravorty, Project Director, FMRP narrated the background of EWA in view of the introduction of the Medium Term Budgetary Framework (MTBF) in a few line ministries to address the poverty reduction strategy of the government.

Former CAG's Mr. Golam Kibria, Mr. K.M. Hossain former Secretaries Mr. Md. Abdul Karim, Mr. Sohel Ahmad, Mr. Golam Rahman, Mr. Syed Sajedul Karim, Education Secretary Mr. Momtajul Islam, Member in Charge of the Planning Commission Mr. M.A. Mazid, representatives of donor agencies, media, national and International consultants of FMRP and cross section of officials attended the ceremony.

:: International Seminar on ‘Women in Decision Making’.

Bangladesh Audit and Accounts Cadre Women Forum (BAACWF) organised an international seminar on “Women in Decision Making“ at Sheraton Hotel, Dhaka on April 30, 2007 in association with the office the Comptroller and Auditor General, Department for International Development (DFID), UK rum Financial Management Reform Programme (FMRP), Royal Netherlands Government and the United Nations Fund for Population Activities (UNFPA).

Dr. A. B. Mirza Md. Azizul Islam, Hon'ble Adviser, Ministries of Finance and Planning, Commerce, Post and Telecommunication to the Caretaker Government of Bangladesh inaugurated the day long conference with CAG Asif Ali having been present. The Acting Country Director of DFID Ms. Elizabeth Carriere, Pornchai Suchitta of the United Nations Fund for Population Activities (UNFPA) and Fritz Meijndert of the Royal Netherlands Embassy in Bangladesh , Ms. Datin Paduka Hajah Salmah Binti Haji Hanafiah, the Auditor General of Brunei Darrussalam also spoke on the occasion .

The Finance Adviser emphasised upon the following aspects

•  there is legal recognition of equal rights of men and women, but that is not enough, rather only a pre-condition

•  an environment should be created so that the women could enjoy the instruments for equal rights

•  the participation of women in administration and private sector has significantly increased making remarkable progress in the mainstream of the national life . Women should play important role in the decision making process and become role models for their male counterparts

•  our society, however, is not at the stage where we could have complacence. We still have a large number of illiterate women and many are subject to harassment and dowry oppressions

CAG Asif Ali stated the following

•  gender empowerment is a popular slogan so strongly pronounced around the world particularly in the developing countries

•  Bangladesh Civil Service (Audit and Accounts) Cadre Women Forum is the offshoot of this reality

•  the international seminar on ‘Women in Decision Making' will facilitate exchange of ideas with the national and international experts on the issue

•  the presence of Ms. Datin Paduka Hajah Salmah Binti Haji Hanifiah, the Auditor General of Brunei Darussalam will further consolidate the bilateral relationship between the two supreme audit institutions (SAI)

•  the Bangladesh audit department has successfully implemented CAG's strategic Plan (2003-2006) and the CAG's next Strategic Plan (2007-2012) has already been launched for onward march of capacity building and enhanced professionalism and the women cadre officers rendered their whole hearted support and co-operation in this regard

Ms. Nurun Nahar, Director General, Defence Audit Directorate and Convener of BAACWF said human development is not possible without improving the status of women. This can be achieved through ensuring their full, equal and effective participation in decision making at all levels. She lauded the role of CAG Asif Ali as the comrade-in arms for the forum through his bold efforts to form it and in all its endeavours to create a congenial working climate for all individuals be it he or she. “His dynamic leadership as our chief patron has shown beacon to our journey“. The inaugural ceremony was followed by business session on ‘Women in Decision Making'.

Ms. Fahmida Islam, Finance Controller Army (Pay-1) while presenting the sub-theme ‘Women in Decision Making Bangladesh Perspective' put forward the following points

•  The constitution of Bangladesh provides for equality of men and women in all aspects. Women are entitled to the same fundamental rights as men. Article 10 of the constitution ensures participation of women in all spheres of national life. Article 65 (3) provides for reserved seats for women in the parliament and Article 9 promotes the special representation of women in local government.

Professor Dr. Hajera Mahtab, Chairman, National Health Care Network (NHN) and Member, National Council, Diabetic Association of Bangladesh while presenting the sub-theme “Women in Decision Making – Public Sector Perspective” stated the following points

•  do women have an appropriate and continued level of access to centres of influence and power?

•  participation in

•  political life

•  economic growth

•  public life

•  role of NGOs

•  hindrances for women backwardness

•  lack of acquisition of the necessary experience for taking part in public decision making

•  perpetuation of the negative attitudes regarding women's ability to lead and govern

•  lack of role models of women leaders for young women and girls .

•  important decisions reached without women's viewpoint.

Ms. Barbara Hurst, Director of Public Reporting Audit Scotland presented the sub-theme ‘Women in Decision Making – a perspective from Scotland '.

CAG Asif Ali and Ms. Datin Paduka Hajah Salmah Binti Haji Hanifiah, Auditor General of Brunei Darussalam jointly closed the day long seminar.

It was followed by a closing dinner and cultural ceremony.

:: CAG Visits South Africa June 22-24, 2007

CAG Asif Ali visited Pretoria , South Africa and held important discussions with Mr. Terence Nombembe, Auditor General of South Africa on June 21, 2007 on matters of bi-laeral interest. Both SAI heads expressed their willingness to further strengthen the bi-lateral relationship in the spirit of INTOSAI.

:: CAG Attends INTOSAI Working Group Meeting (WGEA) on Environmental Auditing in Arusha, Tanzania June 25-29, 2007

CAG Asif Ali attended the 11 th Working Group Meeting (WGEA) of the International Organisation of Supreme Audit Institutions (INTOSAI) on Environmental Auditing in Arusha , Tanzania during 25-29 June, 2007. Khan Mohammad Ferdausur Rahman, Director, Defence Audit Directorate was the other delegate with CAG.

Participants of the INTOSAI Working Group Meeting (WGEA) on Environmental Auditing in Arusha , Tanzania . CAG Asif Ali is seen standing in 5 th position from right

:: Workshop on Entity Wide Audit

A one day workshop on ‘Entity Wide Audit' was held at the Sirajganj Government College , Sirajganj , Bangladesh on April 9, 2007 with CAG remaining present as chief guest. Jointly organised by the office of CAG and Financial Management Reform Programme (FMRP) Component-1, Principal of Sirajganj Government College Professor Md. Habibur Rahman Sarker and Additional Deputy Commissioner (General ) of Sirajganj Md. Alamgir Hossain were special guests. The discussants were Mark O'Donnell, International Consultant and team leader of C-1 and C-5 of FMRP, M. Shahad Chowdhury, National Consultant FMRP C-1, Ms. Farmeen Mowla, National Consultant, FMRP C-1 and Md. Kamrul Alam, Deputy Director, Foreign Aided Project Audit Directorate.

CAG Asif Ali addressing in the workshop on Entity Wide Audit at Sirajganj on April 9, 2007 [R-L: Mark O'Donnell, International Consultant and team leader of C-1 and C-5 of FMRP; CAG Asif Ali, Additional Deputy Commissioner (General ) Sirajganj Md. Alamgir Hossain and Principal, Sirajganj Government College Professor Md. Habibur Rahman Sarker]

A joint workshop of CAG office and the Financial Management Reform Programme (FMRP) Project, Component-1 on ‘Modernising Audit Approach' was held on May 25, 2007 at the Zila Parishad Auditorium, Sylhet with CAG remaining present as chief guest. Controller General of Accounts A.M.M. Sanaul Huq, Chairman of the Sylhet Education Board Professor Dr. M. Abdul Khaleque, Additional Deputy Commissioner (General), Sylhet; Ranjit Chandra Sarker, Chief Executive Officer, Zila Parishad, Sylhet Md. Moniruzzaman and Claude Lalonde, International Consultant, FMRP , C-1 were special guests and spoke on the occasion. Professor Abdul Baqui Chowdhury, ex-chairman of Sylhet Education Board, Qazi Anwar Hossain, District Education officer, Sylhet, Md, Fakhrul Islam, Upazila Nirbahi Officer and Dr. Taheruddin, Deputy Director, Directorate of Education participated during the question answer session and made important contributions in the deliberations.

CAG Asif Ali addressing in the workshop on ‘Modernising Audit Approach – Entity Wide Perspective' in Sylhet on May 25, 2007

:: Workshop on ‘Modernising Audit Approach – Entity Wide Perspective’ Faridpur, May 28, 2007

A one day workshop on ‘Modernising Audit approach – Entity Wide Perspective' jointly organised by the office of the CAG and the Financial Management Reform Programme (FMRP) Project, Component-1 was held in Faridpur on May 28, 2007 with CAG presiding. Md. Aftaf Hossain, Director General, River Research Institute, Faridpur was the special guest.

M. Aminul Islam, Deputy Director, Defence Audit Directorate and Gowranga Chandra Devnath, Deputy Director (MIS), CAG office presented a case study on EWA carried out by them. Md. Haroon-or-Rashid Zamadder, Additional Project Director, FMRP, C-1 made introductory remarks while Shahadat Hossain, Principal, Training Centre, Md. Mobarak Hossain, Primary Education Officer, Major Shahriyar of the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) Faridpur; Dr, Rakhal Chandra Barman, Director, TB clinic; M. Abdus Sattar, Director, Hydraulic Division, River Research Institute, Faridpur and others participated in the discussion. Md. Altaf Hossain, Director General of River Research Institute, Faridpur appreciated the holding of the workshop in Faridpur offering good opportunity to the distinct level policy makers, administrators and managers to acctamise themselves with the audit modernising processes.

CAG Asif Ali emphasised on the following issues

• EWA should be explained and familiarised to the auditees more and more to reciprocally respond to auditing modernisation

• EWA should be a participatory effort among the auditor, auditee and the parliamentarians so that audit becomes effective and quality assured

:: Workshop on ‘Achieved and Not-Achieved’, Dhaka June 18, 2007

A workshop on ‘Achieved and Not- Achieved of the office of the CAG w.e.f. January 2, 2003 to date' was held on June 18, 2007 at the newly built F.K.M.A. Baqui Auditorium at Audit Babhan named after the first CAG of Bangladesh with CAG Asif Ali presiding.

:: Day care Initiative at CAG office Inaugurated

Ms. Datin Paduka Hajah Salmah Binti Haji Hanifiah, Auditor General of Brunei Darussalam inaugurated the Day care Initiative for the children of the female officers and staff of CAG office on April 30.2007 in the morning. CAG office in association with the HELM COMMUNITY FUND of UK facilitated the initiative to enable the female personnel of CAG office having children below the age of seven years to concentrate on their office work free of any worries of their children.

L-R: H.E. Ambassodor of Brunei Darussalam in Dhaka, Bangladesh; Auditor General of Brunei Darussalam Ms. Datin Paduka Hajah Salmah Binti Haji Hanifiah and CAG Asif Ali during the inauguration of the Day Care Initiatives at the Audit Bhaban on April 30, 2007

CAG Asif Ali presided over the ceremony which was also addressed by Ms. Barbara Evers of Helm community Fund and Mr. Iqbal Mahmood Additional Secretary, Ministry of Establishment.

The Auditor General of Brunei highly lauded the initiative at the CAG office of Bangladesh worth emulating at the work places where women are working. Ms. Barbara Evers expressed deep gratitude to CAG Asif Ali for offering whole hearted helping hand for the initiative which is unique in any of the SAIs around the globe. CAG Asif Ali hoped that the initiative will greatly benefit the female personnel of his office.

Ms. Barbara Hurst, Director of Public Reporting Audit, Scotland; Mike Frazer; team leader of the Financial Reform Programme (FMRP); Mark O'Donnell, team leader C-1 and C-5 of FMRP and Shahad Chowdhury, National Consultant of FMRP C-1 and all the officials and staff of CAG office were present during the occasion.

:: Launching Ceremony of Annual Gazetteer, 2007

Launching ceremony of ‘Annual Gazetteer 2007' issued by the office of CAG was held at the Financial Management Academy (FIMA) on April 10, 2007 . M. Matiur Rahman, ex-secretary to the Government, former ambassador and minister launched the gazetteer as chief guest. CAG Asif Ali was present as special guest. This is for the first time that a gazetteer incorporating brief profile of the present and former CAGs, retired and deceased members of the audit and accounts service and those presently serving in the audit department as well as the accounts departments with photographs has been published.

Chief guest M. Motiur Rahman expressed his deep satisfaction and appreciation for the commendable publication and thanked CAG and all others involved with the task. Ex- secretary Sohel Ahmad mentioned of the recent advances that are being made by CAG office under the stewardship of CAG Asif Ali

[R-L: CAG Asif Ali, ex-secretary to the Government, former ambassador and minister M. Matiur Rahman and Director General, Financial Management Academy Md. Hayat Khan during the launching ceremony of Annual Gazetteer, 2007 on April 10, 2007 at FIMA

:: Certificate Awarding ceremony of BCS Audit and Accounts Cadre Probationers

The certificate awarding ceremony of the 21 st , 22 nd and 24 th BCS (Audit and Accounts) cadre Assistant Accountant General Probationary officers was held at the Financial Management Academy (FIMA) on May 3, 2007 . Former Finance Advisor of caretaker government and ex CAG M. Hafizuddin Khan distributed the certificates among successful probationers.

M. Hafizuddin Khan while speaking on the occasion stressed on the following

•  audit and accounts service encompasses the entire segment of administration unlike other cadres which more or less are for targeted professions

•  high ethical standards like honesty, integrity, wisdom, commitment, patriotism should be engraved in the character and practiced by head and heart

•  present time auditing should address the burning issues around us instead of sticking to traditional vouching

•  auditing demands fairness, justice and prudence so that the innocent is not harassed

CAG Asif Ali laid importance on the following

•  passing out examinations of the probationers should be held on time and regular basis

•  probationers while in real job should strive hard to become extra ordinary since there is no place of average people in todays competitive fields

•  they should keep their learning of FIMA refreshed by disseminating the same to their colleagues and staff in their respective places of posting through in-house training system

•  should be prepared to serve anywhere in the country instead of aspiring to remain in the capital since field experiences lay a strong footing of expertise and professionalism

:: CAG distributes certificate at closing of the 27th TOT course of BSTD

CAG Asif Ali distributed certificates on April 26, 2007 as chief guest among the trainees of the 27 th Training of Trainers (TOT) course organised by the Bangladesh Society for Training and Development (BSTD) from March 27 to April 26, 2007 . Former Cabinet Secretary and President of BSTD Dr. Saadat Husain presided while former Director General of Planning and Development Academy (Additional Secretary) M. Janibul Haque and Course Director Abdul Latif Miah spoke on the occasion.

Dr. Sadat Husain stressed on life devotion of a trainer to offer the best of knowledge and information to the trainer.

:: Exit Meeting on Draft Local Audit Reports

An exit meeting on draft local audit reports on the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) funded NEX projects was held at the office of the Foreign Aided Projects Audit Directorate (FAPAD) on April 12, 2007 with CAG as chief guest. Manoj Basnyat, Country Director, UNDP, Bangladesh remaining present as special guest. Director General, FAPAD Manindra Chandra Datta presided over.

:: CAG delivers lecture at the national Defence College

CAG Asif Ali delivered a lecture on ‘Financial Management and Role of Supreme Audit Institutions : Bangladesh Perspective' at the National Defence Course, 2007 at the National Defence College (NDC) on May 27, 2007 . Total member of 41 participants including 11 from Bangladesh attended the 12 month residential course.

CAG Asif Ali delivering lecture at the National Defence College, Bangladesh on May 27, 2007

Lt. General Abu Tayab Md. Zahirul Islam, Commandant, National Defence Collage listened to CAG's Lecture for some time. The lecture was divided into a 45 minutes main theme presentation and an hour long question answer session. The participants lauded the very methodical and informative lecture delivered by CAG.

:: Abduhu Mahmood Khan– Late Md. Zahirul Islam - Late Salahuddin Ahmed Chowdhury Memorial Lecture Series –10

The 10 th late Abduhu Mahmood Khan– Late Md. Zahirul Islam - Late Salahuddin Ahmed Chowdhury Memorial Lecture was held at the Financial Management Academy (FIMA) on May 7, 2007 with CAG Asif Ali being the speaker talking on ‘Reason and Faith'. He believed that a conciliation between ‘Reason and Faith' was very much scientific and possible that would make life

•  meaningful

•  pro- active

•  peaceful and

•  productive

He stressed on observing ethical standards that could enhance the dignity and confidence of man to work for the betterment of both himself and the society.

:: CAG delivers lecture on ‘Mannerism and Etiquette’

CAG Asif Ali delivered a lecture on ‘Mannerism and Etiquette' at the Financial Management Academy (FIMA) on June 3, 2007 addressing the BCS ( Audit and Accounts) cadre officers of the 21st, 22 nd and 24 th batches and probationers of 25 th batch.

:: Quality Training Award Ceremony

Quality Training Award Ceremony for the participants of Para Accounting Course held in the year 2006 and 2007 was held at the Financial Management Academy (FIMA) on June 11, 2007 with CAG presiding

12 best performers out of about 100 trainees in four batches were given the certificates to encourage and motivate the trainees to practice whatever they have leant at the work fields. Previously 24 best performers were also awarded certificates in six para-accounting courses. The purpose of the course is to develop knowledge and skills on accounting rules, concepts and principles, commercial accounting from journal entries to trial balance through the preparation of income statement and balance sheet, budgeting principles and procedures applicable to government accounting system in Bangladesh and analysis of accounting information etc.

:: CAG Inaugurates Training Programme of National Mushroom Development and Extension Center, Savar

CAG Asif Ali inaugurated a training programme at the National Mushroom Development and Extension Centre Agriculture Extension Directorate, Ministry of Agriculture at Sobhanbagh, Savar on April 21, 2007 .

CAG Asif Ali along with his wife and son visiting the National Mushroom Development and Extension Center, Savar during the inauguration of its training programme on April 21, 2007

:: Co-ordination meeting of the audit and accounts departments in Chittagong division.

Co-ordination meeting of the audit and accounts departments in Chittagong division was held in Chittagong on June 15, 2007 with CAG Asif Ali presiding. Controller General Defence Finance, Additional Director General (Finance), Bangladesh Railway and Directors General of Commercial Audit Directorate, Local and Revenue Audit Directorate and Railway Audit Directorate along with their subordinate office heads in Chittagong Division attended the meeting.

:: CAG hands over Cheque for Chittagong Landside Victims

CAG Asif Ali handed over a cheque of Taka 25,000/= (twenty five thousand) on June 15, 2007 for the recent landside victims of Chittagong to Major Omor Hayat at the relief control room in Chittagong M. A Aziz Stadium on behalf of the officers and staff of the audit and accounts departments from their welfare fund. He expressed his heartfelt condolence for those who died and sincerest sympathy for those badly effected by the calamity. Major Hayat thanked CAG for the generous assistance for the victims and requested to convey the same to all his officials and staff.

:: Mrs. Salima R. Ahmed, former Accountant General of erstwhile East Pakistan

Mrs. Salima Raisuddin Ahmed a former Accountant General of erstwhile East Pakistan visited the Audit Bhaban on May 14, 2007 . She was received by CAG Asif Ali, senior officials of the audit and accounts service and members of the Bangladesh Audit and Accounts Cadre Women Forum ( BAACWF) led by Ms. Nurun Nahar, Convener and Director General, Defence Audit Directorate . She was given a hearty reception at CAG office in the presence of all the members and a cross section of the officials.

Mrs. Salima R. Ahmed was born on June 11, 1926 in Bangalore , India in a respected Muslim family. Her father, an engineer, was a descendent of great Indian hero against the British colonial rulers Tipu Sultan. Mrs. Ahmed graduated from the Queen Mary's College, Madras and received masters degree from the Presidency College , Madras , India in 1948. Having migrated to Pakistan she joined the Pakistan Audit and Accounts service in the first batch of the then Pakistan Central Superior Service Examination of 1949. She was the batchmate of CSPs S.M. Shafiul Azam, A.K.M. Ahsan, Md. Keramat Ali, Muazzem Hossain Chowdhury, Abul Ehsan, A.M. Sanaul Haque, Md. Ruhul Kuddus, Ahmed Fuzur Rahman and A.K.M Musa all deceased.

She was the Accountant General (Civil) of erstwhile East Pakistan till 1970 when she left for the then Pakistan on transfer. She retired as Pakistan Federal Secretary of the Ministry of Women Development in 1986. Mrs. Ahmed was married to Mr. Raisuddin Ahmed, a Bengali and also a member of the erstwhile Pakistan Audit and Accounts Service who retired as Accountant General, Sind , Pakistan and subsequently died. Mrs. Ahmed has one son and one daughter

CAG Asif Ali showing the newly introduced Day Care Initiatives to Mrs. Salima R. Ahmed, former Accountant General of erstwhile East Pakistan along with the members of the Bangladesh Audit and Accounts Cadre Women Forum (BAACWF) on May 14, 2007