Finance Department

The Finance Department of the Zilla Parishad in Raigad is a critical department responsible for managing all financial transactions and ensuring the fiscal health of the Zilla Parishad. Here are its key functions in brief:

Budget Preparation and Management: It prepares the annual budget for the Zilla Parishad, covering both its own revenue and funds received from state and central governments. This involves forecasting income, allocating funds to various departments (like Health, Education, Agriculture, Social Welfare), and ensuring that expenditure adheres to budgetary limits.

Accounts Keeping and Compilation: The department maintains detailed accounts of all receipts (income) and expenditures of the Zilla Parishad. This includes preparing monthly and annual financial statements, reconciling accounts, and ensuring compliance with accounting standards and rules as per the Maharashtra Zilla Parishad and Panchayat Samiti Accounts Code.

Financial Advice and Control: The Chief Accounts and Finance Officer (CAFO), who heads the department, acts as the primary financial advisor to the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and the Zilla Parishad. They provide guidance on financial matters, scrutinize proposals from other departments, and ensure proper financial management and accountability.

Disbursement of Funds: It is responsible for drawing funds received from the government (grants, schemes) and disbursing them to the relevant departments and Panchayat Samitis for the implementation of various development programs and schemes in rural areas.

Salary and Pension Management: The department handles the payment of salaries and allowances to the Zilla Parishad’s Class-3 and Class-4 employees, including teachers and non-teaching staff. It also manages and processes pension and provident fund (GPF/NPS) cases for retired employees.

Audit and Compliance: It conducts internal audits of various Zilla Parishad departments and Panchayat Samiti offices to ensure financial discipline and adherence to rules. It also works to address and resolve objections raised by external auditors like the Local Fund Audit and the Accountant General.

Investment Management: The department is involved in the judicious investment of unspent funds, tender fees, and security deposits in banks to maximize the Zilla Parishad’s income.

Procurement and Contract Scrutiny: While other departments initiate procurement, the Finance Department scrutinizes tenders and proposals to ensure financial propriety and prevent irregularities in contracts.