DUSHANBE, June 1, 2011, Asia-Plus -- Members of the Majlisi Namoyandagon (Tajikistan’s lower chamber of parliament) have unanimously endorsed the bill requiring establishment of the Chamber of Accounts.

A regular sitting of the second session of the Majlisi Namoyandagon of the fourth convocation, presided over by its head, Shukurjon Zuhurov, was held on June 1.

Presenting the bill, Deputy Finance Minister, Jamshed Norinov, noted that the new government institution would control revenue and expenditure parts of the national budget, off-budget funds and investments coming in the country’s economy from abroad.

“The Chamber of Accounts is established to tighten control of finances as well as conduct audit and assess the national budget,” the deputy minister noted.

Asked about the possibility of duplication of functions between the Chamber of Accounts and the Agency for State Financial Control and Combating Corruption, Norinov noted that some functions of the Agency for State Financial Control and Combating Corruption would be transferred to the Chamber of Accounts.

The Majlisi Namoyandagon Speaker Shukurjon Zuhurov noted that the Chamber of Accounts would be accountable to the President and the Parliament.

“The Majlisi Namoyandagon will elect chief auditors of the Chamber of Accounts upon the recommendation of the President,” said Zuhurov, “Chief auditor may be elected only to one seven-year term.”