COMPTROLLER AND AUDITOR GENERAL (CAG) OF INDIA
Who is the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) of India?
The Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) of India is the head of the Indian Audit and Accounts Department. He is the authority established by Article 148 of the Constitution, which audits all receipts and the expenditure of the Government of India and the state governments. He is also the auditor of Government-owned corporations and conducts a supplementary audit of government companies. He is the guardian of the public purse and controls the entire financial system of the country at both levels – the Centre and the State. The CAG is ranked 9th and enjoys the same status as a judge of the Supreme Court of India in the Indian order of precedence.
What is the tenure of the CAG of India?
He holds the office for a period of 6 years or up to the age of 65 years, whichever is earlier. However, he can resign any time from his office by submitting a resignation letter to the president.
How the CAG of India can be removed?
He can be removed by the president on the basis of a resolution passed to that effect by both the Houses of Parliament with a special majority, either on the ground of proved misbehavior or incapacity.
What are the duties, functions and role of the CAG of India?
- He audits the followings:
- The accounts related to all expenditure from the consolidated fund of India, each Indian State and each union territory having a LA.
- All the expenditure from the Contingency Fund and the Public Account of both India and each Indian state.
- The receipts and expenditure of all bodies and authorities financed from Central and State revenues.
- The receipts and expenditure of Government Companies and other corporations and bodies when required by law.
- All grants and loans are given by the government to bodies or authorities.
- All transactions of the Central and State Governments related to deposits, advances, debt, remittances, trading, etc.
- Accounts of stores and stock of Government.
- The accounts requested by the President of India or Governor of the State.
- He submits his audit reports relating to the accounts of the Centre to the President, who shall, in turn, place them before both the houses of Parliament.
- He submits his audit reports relating to the accounts of the State to the Governor, who shall, in turn, place them before the State Legislature.
- His main role is to uphold the Constitution of India and the laws of Parliament in the administrative field.