Gautam Sen writes about Empowering CAG - The Hindu

Gautam Sen writes about Empowering CAG - The Hindu

My VIEW



A well researched, timely article.

I quote:

"A conference of the chairpersons of Public Accounts Committees (PACs) has just been held under the aegis of the Parliament’s PAC. Nishikant Dubey, Member of Parliament (Lok Sabha), member PAC, and a convener of the conference, stated that the time has come to make our national auditor, the Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG), accountable to Parliament through a constitutional amendment.
This is a strange demand, given that the CAG’s constitutional mandate, under the CAG (Duties, Powers & Condition of Service) Act or Audit Act, is to hold the executive accountable. Such a demand had never been articulated in the past. On the other hand, there have been demands for strengthening the Audit Act to further empower the CAG."
Says Gautam Sen
Read full article.

My response copied below:
Letters
September 30, 2015
We need strong institutions
This refers to Gautam Sen’s article “Empower, not weaken the CAG” (September 30). Pre-2014 Elections, governments at the Centre and in states, mostly dependent on several seasonal coalitions of an assortment of political parties were showing symptoms of an ‘inferiority complex’ of sorts and were trying to discipline strong institutions like CAG and RBI by using powers they really did not have. The moves sometimes were packaged as ‘reforms’ and at others came out as ‘notifications’ or guidance from ministries and in worst situations, obedient individuals were placed at the top of government owned/controlled institutions or positions at the top were left vacant the second-in-command aspiring for elevation being used as a tool for getting things done.
As Prime Minister Modi himself claims that in Elections 2014 had voted for change, the change also should reflect in discontinuing stifling of the well-evolved institutional system which has been supportive to governments irrespective of the colour of the flag of the political leadership. Expediency or fear should not be the criterion for dismantling or weakening institutions like Election Commission, CAG, RBI and the judiciary, which are all waiting for reforms. Any interference or legislative move must be to strengthen and broad-base these institutions.
There is a case for making CAG responsible for oversight of accounting of all organisations, both in public and private sector which are dependent on public funds for their resources.


M G Warrier, Mumbai

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

NAVAGRAHA STOTRAM

NAVAGRAHA STOTRAM* According to astrology, the positions of the nine planets in the twelve constellations of the zodiac and their movements are considered to be quite significant. The nine planets ‘Navagraha’ affect every aspect of human life. They play an important role in the activities, physical and mental health and life of any individual. The unfavorable positioning of any of these planets can be the cause of problems, bad health, and stagnation for many people. However, there is a solution to avoid the ill effects of the position and movement of the ‘Navagraha’ in our lives. Navagraha mantras (or stotram) are simple mantras which work as powerful healing tools to reduce the negative effects of any of the nine planets. These mantras are Hindu holy hymn addressing the nine planets. Benefits Of Navagraha Stotram And The Way to Practice The Navagraha Stotram is written b y Rishi Vyasa and is considered to be the peace mantra for the nine planets. They are powerful m
Read more

THE SUNSET OF THE CENTURY

*SUNSET OF THE CENTURY: Rabindranath Tagore THE LAST SUN OF THE CENTURY SETS AMIDST THE BLOOD-RED COLOURS OF THE WEST AND THE WHIRLWIND OF HATRED. THE NAKED PASSION OF SELF-LOVE OF NATIONS IN ITS DRUNKEN DELIRIUM OF GREED IS DANCING TO THE CLASH OF STEEL AND THE HOWLING VERSES OF VENGEANCE. THE HUNGRY SELF OF THE NATION SHALL BURST IN A VIOLENCE OF FURY FROM ITS OWNSHAMELESS FEEDING FOR IT HAS MADE THE WORLDITS FOOD, AND LICKING IT, CRUNCHING IT AND SWALLOWING IT IN BIG MORSELS, IT SWELLS AND SWELLS TILL IN THE MIDST OF ITS UNHOLY FEAST DESCENDS THE SUDDEN HEAVEN PIERCING ITS HEART OF GROSSNESS…   *Note: “The Sunset of the Century”, translated by the poet, from Naivedya; The English Writings of   Rabindranathtagore, Volume II,Delhi 1996, page 466. Quoted in his article ‘Critiquing nationalism’ by K Satchidanandan (Frontline, November 14, 2014). The article takes you to a much broader spectrum. HAPPY READING(READ MORE STAN
Read more

The King of Ragas: Sankarabharanam

                       The King of Ragas                      --------------------------     Long ago  serpents were put to lot of hardships.They  were afraid of other animals. They had to seek refuge in the hermitage of sage Saraba.The sage was a true devotee of Lord Shiva.He used to pray Shiva with melodious songs. As he sang a particular raga the snakes were much inspired and they began to dance,. Slowly the serpents became friendly with the sage. They brought water in their mouths for the pooja.They secreted  a special fluid in which the flowers got stuck to their bodies.The sage was much astonished by the service of the snakes.As the sarpas became very close to the sage ,they requested him to help having Darsan of Lord Siva. As requested by the sage Shiva appeared in the form of  a  Kapalika and stayed in the ashram.The music and dance of the snakes continued. The snakes rendered service to the kapalika as they considered him  a Shiva bhakta.Shiva was much pleased with t
Read more