Delhi Assembly launches digital system to track audit follow-ups

The Delhi Legislative Assembly has fully operationalised the Audit Para Monitoring System (APMS), a real-time digital platform to monitor audit follow-ups, making it one of the first State Assemblies in the country to implement such a system.

Speaker Vijender Gupta highlighted the significance of the platform during a meeting with senior officials to review action on reports from the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) of India. “The adoption of APMS marks a significant step towards transparency, procedural discipline and a more accountable audit follow-up mechanism,” he said.

The review revealed while 142 audit paragraphs had been uploaded by various departments, only 30 Action Taken Notes (ATNs) had been submitted. Gupta described this pendency as unsatisfactory, stressing timely and complete responses are essential for the Public Accounts Committee to perform its mandate effectively.

The meeting was attended by Ajay Mahawar, Chairman of the Committee on Public Accounts; Gajender Drall, Chairperson of the Committee on Government Undertakings; Aman Deep Chatha, Accountant General; Shurbir Singh, Secretary, Finance, NCT of Delhi; and senior officials from the Finance Department and Directorate of Audit. A detailed presentation demonstrated how APMS tracks each stage of an audit paragraph, records audit office comments, monitors departmental replies, highlights delays and provides real-time visibility of pendency and compliance.

Developed by the Ministry of Finance’s Expenditure Department and conceptualised by the Controller General of Accounts, APMS allows end-to-end monitoring of audit observations, ATNs and departmental replies. The platform displays original audit observations, identified deficiencies, comments at each stage, departmental responses, acceptance or return of replies and statutory timelines for finalisation.

During the review, Gupta pointed out deficiencies in departmental responses, including incomplete forms, missing signatures and replies that failed to address audit comments. He instructed all incomplete or informal replies be returned for correction and directed that properly formatted ATNs be submitted within three weeks. Uniform guidelines specifying the required format, signing authority and response procedures would be circulated by the Assembly Secretariat.

Gupta also emphasised the need for training and familiarisation with APMS at all levels to ensure officers fully understand the portal’s features, enabling faster and more accurate compliance. “Proper training, strict adherence to format and timely responses are essential for the Public Accounts Committee to carry out its work efficiently,” he said.