Anand Kumar Pal, 1997 batch Indian Cost Accounts Service (ICoAS) officer, has assumed charge as Chief Adviser (Cost) in the Department of Expenditure, Ministry of Finance, following approval of the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC).
Anand Kumar Pal
- Qualified Cost Accountant with a Bachelor’s degree in Commerce and Bachelor’s degree in Law
- Over 30 years of experience in financial analysis, public policy, WTO trade policy, and costing & pricing methodologies in strategic and non-strategic sectors
- Previously served in: Department of Economic Affairs, Department of Public Enterprises, FICC, Directorate General of Trade Remedies, Ministry of Defence, NPPA and Department of Revenue
- Played a significant role in achieving substantial cost savings in procurement of defence armaments, equipment and platforms during his tenure at Ministry of Defence
About Office of Chief Adviser (Cost)
- It is a specialized division within the Department of Expenditurethat provides expert advice on costing, pricing, and financial management to government.
- Primary functions include:
- Pricing Advice: Assisting central ministries in fixing fair prices for products and services, especially in strategic and non-strategic sectors.
- Contract Verification: Verifying claims between government departments, PSUs, and suppliers arising from purchase contracts.
- Cost Efficiency Studies: Conducting studies to determine fair selling prices and recommending measures for cost reduction and expenditure optimization.
- Subsidy Management: Determining and verifying claims under Price Support Schemes (PSS) and Market Intervention Schemes (MIS).
- Cadre Management: Serving as the cadre controlling office for the Indian Cost Accounts Service (ICoAS), the only organized accounting service in India manned by Cost and Management Accountants.