Rule 95 of The General Financial Rules 2017 Maintenance and Submission of Subsidiary Accounts
Original Rule Text
Visual Summary
Obtains government orders for account nature and form.
Nature and form of subsidiary accounts determined by government.
Submitted to Accounts Officer and appended to Appropriation Accounts yearly.
Executive Summary
Rule 95 of the General Financial Rules, 2017, mandates that the Head of each departmental unit is responsible for the maintenance and submission of subsidiary accounts and statements. This involves obtaining specific government orders regarding the nature and form of these accounts. These statements must be submitted to the Accounts Officer by the required dates and subsequently appended to the annual Appropriation Accounts, ensuring transparency and proper financial record-keeping within government departments.
In-Depth Analysis of the Rule
Rule 95 outlines a critical aspect of financial management for departmental units, focusing on the meticulous handling of subsidiary accounts and statements. It ensures that all financial activities, even at a granular level, are properly documented and integrated into the broader government accounting framework.
Breakdown of the Rule:
- Head of Unit’s Responsibility: The rule places the onus on the Head of the unit to proactively seek and obtain government orders concerning the specific nature and format of subsidiary accounts and statements. This ensures standardization and compliance across different units.
- Government’s Directive: The government dictates the precise requirements for these accounts and statements, ensuring they meet necessary financial reporting standards.
- Submission to Accounts Officer: These accounts and statements must be submitted to the designated Accounts Officer according to the dates specified by that officer, facilitating timely reconciliation and audit.
- Integration with Appropriation Accounts: A crucial requirement is that these subsidiary accounts and statements are appended to the Appropriation Accounts each year, providing a comprehensive view of financial operations and accountability.
Practical Example:
Consider a government research institute (a departmental unit). The Director of the institute (Head of the unit) must ensure that all project-specific accounts, grant utilization statements, and other detailed financial records (subsidiary accounts) are maintained as per the formats and guidelines issued by the Ministry of Finance. These records are then compiled and submitted to the institute’s Accounts Officer by the stipulated deadlines. Finally, these detailed statements are included as annexures or supporting documents to the institute’s annual Appropriation Accounts, which are then submitted to the central government, demonstrating how funds were utilized for research projects.
Related Provisions
Understanding Rule 95 is enhanced by examining its connections to other financial regulations:
- Rule 92 of The General Financial Rules 2017 Subsidiary Accounts Commercial Activities: This rule deals with the maintenance of subsidiary proforma accounts in commercial form for government departments undertaking commercial activities, providing context for different types of subsidiary accounts.
- Rule 88 of The General Financial Rules 2017 Appropriation Accounts: This rule details the preparation and signing of Appropriation Accounts, to which the subsidiary accounts and statements mentioned in Rule 95 are ultimately appended.
Learning Aids
Mnemonics:
- H.O.U.S.E. A.S.S.A.: Head Of Unit Submits Everything Annually to Accounts Officer.
Process Flowchart:
Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)
1. According to Rule 95 of the General Financial Rules, 2017, who is primarily responsible for arranging to obtain government orders regarding subsidiary accounts and statements?
- A) The Accounts Officer
- B) The Ministry of Finance
- C) The Head of the unit
- D) The Comptroller and Auditor General
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C) The Head of the unit
2. What specific aspects of subsidiary accounts and statements does the Head of the unit obtain government orders for, as per Rule 95 of the General Financial Rules, 2017?
- A) Only the quantity of statements
- B) The nature and form of accounts and statements
- D) The frequency of submission only
- C) The personnel responsible for preparation
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B) The nature and form of accounts and statements
3. To whom are the subsidiary accounts and statements submitted by the departmental units, according to Rule 95 of the General Financial Rules, 2017?
- A) The Ministry of Finance
- B) The Head of the Department
- C) The Accounts Officer
- D) The Comptroller and Auditor General
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C) The Accounts Officer
4. What is the final destination for the subsidiary accounts and statements after submission, as stipulated by Rule 95 of the General Financial Rules, 2017?
- A) They are archived by the department unit.
- B) They are published on the department’s website.
- C) They are appended to the Appropriation Accounts of each year.
- D) They are sent directly to the Parliament.
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C) They are appended to the Appropriation Accounts of each year.
5. Which of the following is NOT explicitly mentioned as a responsibility of the Head of the unit under Rule 95 of the General Financial Rules, 2017?
- A) Obtaining government orders for account nature.
- B) Submitting accounts to the Accounts Officer.
- C) Auditing the submitted accounts.
- D) Ensuring accounts are appended to Appropriation Accounts.
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C) Auditing the submitted accounts.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the primary responsibility of the Head of the unit under Rule 95 of the General Financial Rules, 2017?
The Head of the unit is responsible for arranging to obtain government orders regarding the nature and form of subsidiary accounts and statements, and ensuring their submission to the Accounts Officer.
How often are these subsidiary accounts and statements submitted and where are they finally included?
They are submitted to the Accounts Officer on such dates as required by him and are appended to the Appropriation Accounts of each year.
Key Takeaways
- Rule 95 assigns the Head of the unit the crucial role of managing subsidiary accounts and statements.
- The government dictates the specific nature and form of these financial documents.
- Timely submission to the Accounts Officer is mandatory.
- These statements are integral to the annual Appropriation Accounts, ensuring comprehensive financial reporting.
Conclusion
Rule 95 of the General Financial Rules, 2017, underscores the importance of structured financial reporting at the departmental unit level. By clearly defining the responsibilities for maintaining and submitting subsidiary accounts, it reinforces the principles of transparency, accountability, and systematic financial governance essential for the effective functioning of government operations. Adherence to this rule ensures that detailed financial activities are properly documented and integrated into the broader financial oversight mechanisms.