Finance minister Lyonpo Wangdi Norbu opens the branch office in Phuentsholing

17 Novermber, 2009 - Keeping in mind the increased level of development and complexity of activities in a parliamentary democratic system, the royal audit authority (RAA), to keep up with the change, opened the office of assistant auditor general (OAAG) in Phuentsholing on Saturday.

The office in Phuentsholing was also a part of upgrading the capacity of RAA to monitor the development process of a new and complex governance system, according to officials. “Our strategy is to take the services of RAA closer to the people,” said the auditor general, Ugyen Chewang.

Officials said that, with over 109 government and corporate agencies to cover in the Chukha and Samtse dzongkhags, the establishment of OAAG in Phuentsholing was also confirmed by cost benefit analysis to make economic sense for the government. With increasing complexity in the fields of all sectors, the auditor general said that the demand for highly specialised auditors is growing.

As per RAA’s strategic plan 2008-2013, establishment of regional offices like the one in Phuentsholing was to improve quality and timely delivery of auditing services. The nationwide organisational development exercise in 2007 also recommended the establishment of regional offices outside Thimphu.

Located below the road near Tala hydro project’s guesthouse in Kabraytar, the office was inaugurated by the finance minister, Lyonpo Wangdi Norbu, and is headed by the assistant auditor general, Choki Gyeltshen.

RAA has three OAAGs in Samdrupjongkhar, Bumthang and Tsirang, excluding the one in Phuentsholing.