DUSHANBE. June 2. “Asia-Plus” -- In the course of a regular meeting of the first session of the lower chamber of Tajikistan’s parliament of the fourth convocation deputies of the Majlisi Namoyandagon of the Majlisi Oli of Tajikistan have approved the draft law “On financial management and internal control in governmental sector” proposed by the government of the republic.

This is the first-ever law in the history of finance structures of the country which ensures tough control over the target use of budget funds in governmental structures, Deputy Minister of Finance Jamshed Norinov spoke as presenting the draft law.

“The law specifies functions, tasks and responsibilities of heads of governmental structures in the field of target use of budget funds and, we are sure, will play positive role in reduction of corruption in these structures,” he said. “The proposed draft law will not duplicate the functions of the State Financial Control and Counter-Corruption Agency.”

According to Deputy Finance Minister, internal audit departments are set up only in structures with annual budget that exceeds 52mln Somoni and with no less than 800 staff members.

“Such internal audit departments were set up in five pilot ministries. Each department consist of four specialists. These departments have already justified the need in internal audits,” he added.

Speaker of the lower chamber of Tajikistan’s parliament Shukurjon Zuhurov, on his turn, noted that internal audit is included into the list of requirements of many international organizations which can invest funds into the development of Tajikistan’s governmental sector. “For example, I’m aware that European Union is planning to allocate 18mln Euro to support Tajikistan’s budget in 2010 but requires a series of mechanisms to control the distribution and expenditure of funds by means of internal audit,” he said.

The draft law was approved by the majority of voices.