Powers of Subordinate Authorities to write off loss under Delegation of Financial Power Rules, 2024: DOE

Powers of Subordinate Authorities to write off loss under Delegation of Financial Power Rules, 2024: DOE, FinMin OM dated 01.04.2024

F. No. 01 (14)/2016-E.II(A) (Part-III)
Government of India Ministry of Finance
Department of Expenditure

North Block, New Delhi
Dated 01st April 2024

OFFICE MEMORANDUM

Subject: Powers of Subordinate Authorities to write off loss under Delegation of Financial Power Rules, 2024.

The undersigned is directed to say that under Rule 13 of Delegation of Financial Power Rules (DFPRs), 2024, the power of Subordinate Authorities to write of losses shall be as per the conditions and limits as may be specified by the Finance Ministry from time to time. This power may be exercised by a Subordinate Authority in accordance with the provisions of the General Financial Rules, wherever applicable and provided that:-

(a) the loss does not disclose a defect in rules or procedure, the amendment of which requires the orders of higher authority or the Finance Ministry;

(b) there has not been any serious negligence on the part of any Government servant which may call for disciplinary action by a higher authority;

(c) before the decision is taken to write-off a loss, the Administrative Ministry/ Department etc, should make a thorough and searching investigation of the cases. The lessons learnt there from should be applied to prevent the recurrence of such cases in future;

(d) a quarterly statement of write-off of losses should be submitted to the Integrated Finance Division indicating the reasons for the loss, nature of the loss and the remedial measures taken to prevent the recurrence of such type of loss.

2. Department of Revenue may further re-delegate the powers relating to write off of losses of revenue to officials in accordance with procedures/ instructions issued by that Department.

3. Ministries/Departments other than Department of Revenue may re-delegate powers of write off upto Rs.5000 in each case of loss of revenue to HoDs.

4. In case of irrecoverable loss of stores and public money, the power to write off may be delegated to HoD through a written order by the original authority having such power, subject to such delegation not exceeding 10% of the power of the Department.

5. In case of Deficiencies and depreciation in the value of stores (other than motor vehicles or motor cycle) included i n the stock and other accounts, the power to write off may be delegated to HoD through a written order by the original authority having such power, subject to such delegation not exceeding 10% of the power of the Department.

6. For the purpose of deciding the value of the stores, it shall be the “book value” where priced accounts are maintained and “replacement value” in other cases.

7. Value in “each case” to be reckoned with reference to the total value of stores to be written off on one occasion.

8. The term “each case” used in this Schedule in regard to write-off of irrecoverable losses of stores, deficiencies and depreciation in the value of stores included in stock and other accounts, should be interpreted with reference to a given poi nt of time. If, on a particular occasion, a number of items of stores are to be written off, the powers of the sanctioning authority should be reckoned with reference to the total value of stores intended to be written off on that occasion and not with reference to individ ual articles constituting the lot. In this context, losses arising out of one incident should not be split up and written off separatel y on different dates in order to avoid sanction of the higher authority. Losses due to one specific cause like fire, theft, flood, etc., should be written off at one time only. There is, however, no objection to losses arising out of more than one cause being written off at one time. The competence of the officer writing off the loss will depend on the amount written off each time.

9. This issues with the approval of Finance Secretary & Secretary (Expenditure)

(C.P. Kushwaha)
Under Secretary to the Government of India

Source: Department of Expenditure