PASSD Releases 31-point Ehsaas Governance And Integrity Policy
Mohammad Ali (@ChaudhryMAli88) Published July 14, 2019 | 08:20 PM
ISLAMABAD, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 14th Jul, 2019 ) :As the roll-out of the EHSAAS programme picks up pace, the Poverty Alleviation and Social Safety Division (PASSD) released a comprehensive set of governance policy parameters that all ancillary organizations of PASSD would now be required to meet.
The Primary goal of the new set of policies was to limit opportunities for corruption, while promoting efficiency, transparency and accountability for results, said a press release issued here Sunday.
"Today we have released, the 31-point Ehsaas Governance and Integrity Policy, a step towards ensuring transparency, accountability and strong governance in all organizations of PASSD involved in implementing Ehsaas" said Dr. Sania Nishtar, Special Advisor to the Prime Minister on Social Protection and Poverty Alleviation.
In a tweet message, she said, "We have to ensure that the funds allocated to poverty alleviation are reaching the communities that need them most, and strong governance is fundamental to ensuring that." It has been made mandatory for all ancillary organizations of PASSD to convene board meetings and board committee meetings regularly.
The policy states that in order to promote transparency, each organization must publish its audited entity statements, annual progress reports, applicable policies and procedures, letters to the board and letter to the management by the Auditor on their websites.
To strengthen fiduciary systems and financial management and to institutionalize risk management and assurance, the policy makes appropriate accounting systems and procurement manual mandatory.
All organizations will be required to have a board-approved whistle blowing policy and conflict of interest policy, which is applicable to members of the Board, management, employees, consultants and anyone acting on behalf of the organization.
Likewise, a gender policy will be mandatory to ensure the integration of the gender perspective into every aspect of governance, policy formulation, operational functioning and in data collection.
Building on 'The Protection against Harassment of Women at the Workplace Act 2010'it will be mandatory for all organizations working with the PASSD to adopt an internal code of conduct and a complaint and appeal mechanism to ensure an environment free of intimidation and abuse.
To drive good financial practice and for risk assurance and management, each organization is required to develop strong internal audit departments reporting to the board directly, error fraud and corruption frameworks, and IT security departments (where electronic payments are being made).
Furthermore, an external audit of financial statements will be required on an annual basis.This is in addition to the audit conducted by the Auditor General of Pakistan.
The policy encourages staff training in the area of prevention, detection, deterrence and monitoring of error, fraud and corruption. It states that "Human resource hiring, and deputations should be pursued through an open competitive basis without exceptions and should be rule based".
In addition, it states that "Every organization should have a detailed itemized, department-wise weekly work plan with responsibilities and accountabilities clearly defined and KPIs linked to delivery.
Each organization should fully convert to e-office and maintain an electronic trail of communication by the end of September and, amongst other things also draw on this tool for reporting on HR performance". The policy also stipulates that all organizations partnering with PASSD now need to be certified by Pakistan Centre for Philanthropy.
To support the implementation of this policy, PASSD has appointed a governance focal person and will facilitate regular sharing of experiences among senior management to promote best practices.
Related Topics
Recent Stories
Currency Rate In Pakistan - Dollar, Euro, Pound, Riyal Rates On 25 April 2024
Today Gold Rate in Pakistan 25 April 2024
Mired in crisis, Boeing reports another loss
Session Awarding Ceremony 2024 held at Cadet College Muzaffarabad
Austrian ski great Hirscher to make comeback under Dutch flag
Pakistan, Japan agrees to convene 'Economic Policy Dialogue'
FM Dar conveys deepest sympathy on torrential rains devastation in UAE
Spain PM Sanchez says weighing resignation after wife's graft probe
Tennis: ATP/WTA Madrid Open results - 1st update
Long-lost Klimt portrait auctioned off for 30 mn euros
Osaka seals first win on clay since 2022 in Madrid
Earthquake jolts Karachi
More Stories From Pakistan
-
15 female teachers injured in road accident
29 minutes ago -
Pakistan, UK discuss collaboration in education sector
9 hours ago -
PMD forecast rain-windstorm/thunderstorm for various parts of country
10 hours ago -
Session Awarding Ceremony 2024 held at Cadet College Muzaffarabad
10 hours ago -
FM Dar conveys deepest sympathy on torrential rains devastation in UAE
10 hours ago -
Earthquake jolts Karachi
11 hours ago
-
Sindh minister orders operation after attack on police in Ghotki
11 hours ago -
Police book youngster for abusing student for one year
11 hours ago -
Police arrest 23 suspects, recover stolen money, phones
11 hours ago -
Colorful cultural festival concludes at NUML
11 hours ago -
Immunization awareness week kicks off in Balochistan
11 hours ago -
Ministers visit Aziz Bhatti Shaheed Hospital following roof collapse incident
11 hours ago