January 22: A daylong workshop for Dzongkhag Yargay Tshogdu (DYT) Secretaries and Gewog Administration Officers (GAO) on financial transparency at the dzongkhag and gewog level was held yesterday.

The workshop, aimed at increasing transparency was organized by the GNH Commission as part of an Asian Development Bank (ADB) funded project.

The chairperson of the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC), Aum Neten Zangmo in her opening address said there is a need to improve transparency at the local government level.

"More than 800 complaints received by the ACC, 30% are concerning dzongkhag and gewog administration and public officials at the local level," she said.

Shane Cove, the consultant for the workshop said, as a part of the project, accountants and account officers will also be trained to enhance their expertise and professionalism.

More than 20 DYT Secretaries and GAO attended the workshop.

The GNH Commission says the workshop is aimed at informing and increasing financial transparency and to sensitize the stakeholders on the importance of combating corruption at the local levels.