Bhubaneswar: The Odisha government has expanded its internal audit system by creating audit wings in ten more departments, taking the total to 38. The move aims to reinforce fiscal discipline and improve public fund management.
Internal audit acts as the watchdog of public money and reports crores of financial irregularity including misappropriation and embezzlement of public money within the state. All internal audit personnel are centralised under the Finance Department to ensure uniformity, professional oversight, and effective monitoring of public spending.
Officials said the Finance Department on October 9 created internal audit wings in 10 more departments with 85 audit personnel by rationally bifurcating the present sanctioned strength of 510 in 28 departments.
The new Internal audit wings will help tighten financial systems, identify risks early, and reduce audit objections through continuous review and compliance checks. The 10 more departments where internal audit wings have been created are Water Resources, Rural Development, Works, Energy, Skill Development & Technical Education, E&IT, Handlooms, Textiles & Handicrafts, Industries, Odia Language, Literature & Culture, and Tourism.
Officials said this initiative marks a major stride toward institutionalizing transparency, improving, improving fiscal prudence, and ensuring better utilization of public funds, reinforcing Odisha’s commitment to good governance and responsible financial management.