Rule 58 - Expenditure Tracking | KartavyaDesk
Original Rule Text
Rule 58 Principal Accounts Officer certifying the correctness of the figures for the quarter by the 15th of the second following month after the end of quarters AprilJune, July-September, OctoberDecember and January- March. (6) The Departments of the Central Government shall obtain from their Heads of Departments and other offices under them the departmental figures of expenditure in Form GFR 8 by the 15th of the month following the month to which the returns relate. The figures relating to Revenue and Capital expenditure shall be separately shown in these returns. The information so obtained shall be posted in register(s) kept for watching the flow of expenditure against the sanctioned grant or appropriation. Progressive totals of expenditure shall be worked out for the purpose. If the departmental figures obtained in Form GFR 8 and posted in the register(s), require correction in a subsequent month, Heads of Departments or other offices shall make such corrections by making plus or minus entries in the progressive totals. In case the Accounts Office figures which subsequently become available are found to be higher than departmental figures, the former shall be assumed to be the correct figures, as appropriation accounts are prepared on the basis of the figures booked in the accounts. (7) The Departments of Central Government shall also obtain from the Heads of Departments and other authorities under them, statements showing the details of the physical progress of the schemes for which they are responsible. This statement shall show the name of the scheme, the Budget provision for each scheme, the progressive expenditure on each scheme, the progress of the scheme in physical terms and the detailed reasons for any shortfalls or excess, both against physical and financial targets. (8) A Broadsheet in Form GFR 9 shall be maintained by the Departments of Central Government or each Head of Department and other authorities directly under them, to watch the prompt receipt of the various returns mentioned above from month to month and to take necessary measures for rectifying any defaults noticed. Maintenance of Liability Register for effecting proper control over expenditure. In order to maintain proper control over expenditure, a Controlling
What This Means
Rule 58 of the General Financial Rules (GFR) 2017 is all about keeping a close eye on government spending and making sure everyone is on the same page. It outlines how departments should track their expenses against their allocated budgets. Think of it as a system of checks and balances to prevent overspending and ensure funds are used effectively. The rule applies to all departments of the Central Government and their associated offices.
Essentially, each department needs to collect expenditure figures from its various units regularly, using a standard format (GFR 8). These figures are then compared against the approved budget. If there are any discrepancies between the department's records and the official accounts, the official accounts take precedence. Departments also need to track the physical progress of projects alongside the financial spending. Finally, departments must maintain a 'Broadsheet' (GFR 9) to monitor the timely submission of these reports and address any delays or issues. This ensures accountability and helps in informed decision-making regarding resource allocation.
This explanation was generated with AI assistance for educational purposes. Always refer to the official gazette notification for authoritative text.
Key Points
- •Departments must collect expenditure figures from their units using Form GFR 8 by the 15th of the following month.
- •Revenue and Capital expenditure must be reported separately.
- •Expenditure figures are compared against sanctioned grants/appropriations, with official accounts taking precedence.
- •Departments must track the physical progress of schemes alongside financial expenditure.
- •A Broadsheet (Form GFR 9) must be maintained to monitor timely submission of reports.
Practical Example
The Ministry of Rural Development is implementing a rural road construction project. According to Rule 58, each regional office submits its expenditure details in Form GFR 8 to the Ministry by the 15th of the following month. These details include both financial expenditure (e.g., payments to contractors) and physical progress (e.g., kilometers of road constructed). The Ministry compiles this data and compares it against the allocated budget for the project. If the Accounts Office reports higher expenditure than the regional office, the Accounts Office figure is considered correct. Furthermore, the Ministry uses Form GFR 9 to track whether each regional office is submitting its reports on time. If the regional office in Bihar consistently fails to submit its reports on time, the Ministry will investigate the cause of the delay and take corrective action.
This explanation was generated with AI assistance for educational purposes. Always refer to the official gazette notification for authoritative text.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Form GFR 8 and why is it important?▼
What happens if the departmental figures don't match the Accounts Office figures?▼
What is the purpose of the Broadsheet in Form GFR 9?▼
Does Rule 58 apply to all types of government expenditure?▼
What is the deadline for the Principal Accounts Officer to certify the correctness of figures for each quarter?▼
This explanation was generated with AI assistance for educational purposes. Always refer to the official gazette notification for authoritative text.
Test Your Knowledge
Question 1 of 3
According to Rule 58 of GFR 2017, by what date should Departments of the Central Government obtain departmental figures of expenditure in Form GFR 8 from their Heads of Departments and other offices?
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