Circular 30-2010 is posted below.
with greetings
M. S. Raja
Secretary General
ALL INDIA AUDIT & ACCOUNTS ASSOCIATION
CSV WARRIER BHAWAN
15/1089-90, VASUNDHARA, VASUNDHARA (P.O.), Dt. GHAZIABAD (U.P), PIN-201012
Ph: 0120-2881727/4101593/ 0 – 98681 45667
E-mail: auditflag@gmail.com
Website: www.auditflag.blogspot.com
Reference: AIA/Circular-30/2010
Dated: 29th November 2010
To
Unit Secretaries,
Members & Spl. Invitees – NE &
Members of Women's Committee
Dear Comrades,
ONCE AGAIN CAG'S REPORT BAGS LIME LIGHT
After two decades, the audit report of CAG and the CAG has become the
talk of the town and darling of media. Such an interest in the audit
report of CAG was evoked in late 1980s on the purchase of Bofors gun.
The amount involved or the loss to the exchequer then was a paltry one
(Rs 64 crores) compared to the amount (Rs 1.76 lakh crores) now
estimated to have been lost by the government on account of 2G
spectrum allocation.
In 1999 also, there was a furore – after the audit report on purchase
of coffins for carrying the martyrs of the Kargil war.
In 1989 and 1999, once the report was brought to the public domain,
there was a orchestrated, virulent attack on the CAG – attributing
biases and malice. In 1999, the then defence minister – champion of
CAG's report in 1989 – wrote a book condemning CAG in a most
reprehensible language.
The attack on the institution of CAG and its independent functioning
is nothing new. In 1990s, we could see similar attacks on the work of
CAG (i.e. IA&AD) by Chief Ministers of Kerala and Bihar, attributing
motives behind the reports.
It is akin to the statement made by a former President of the 'world
police' who termed non-alignment movement as an alignment/grouping
against his country!
Nobody like CAG's audit report, but everybody enjoys it.
But there is a difference this time – no political party has ventured
to attack the audit report on 2G spectrum allocation.
TIME TO GO TO THE PEOPLE
FOR CAG, INDEPENDENT OF EXECUTIVE
It was long back in 1989 that we organised a convention on the need
for an independent CAG and financial independence to CAG of India.
(Today, the constitutional safeguard is only to the extant of
discharging its functions – which also is getting crippled on account
of financial strings applied by the executive).
The time is ripe for reviving the issue as it is hot and lively and
can get wide support of intelligentsia and political parties across
the spectrum. Ofcourse, the issue will have to be fine tuned to
today's' and tomorrows requirements – at the same time taking enough
precautions of it not being misused.
The functional as well as financial independence is the key to
effective discharge of duties by CAG as envisioned by the Constitution
of India. With more than 35% vacancies and with a man power whose
average age is 50 what can be expected of a constitutional authority?
With hardly 2% audit, the department could bring out this kind of
reports, with an effective man power what benefit would not accrue to
the nation with accounts being effectively checked and managed?
The fact that there is an element of internal sabotage in undermining
the scope of the role of CAG can also not be overlooked.
The national Executive would meet to discuss the details of holding
National convention. A work paper would be finalised by the CHQ and
would be circulated. All units may also try to have regional
convention after receipt of work paper.
BUT…
On allegations of Common Wealth Game – related scams, the CAG has
been entrusted with detailed audit – personnel from across the country
have been drawn for the work.
Simultaneously, government has appointed a committee, also on CWG
scams, headed by a former CAG, Shri VK Shunglu. Is it to scuttle or
influence the audit done by the department? The track record of the
head of the committee is not giving much scope. This is the second
time Shri Shunglu is selected by the Government (in the last five
years) to head an enquiry committee and the report of the earlier
enquiry is yet not known to anybody.
With regards
Yours fraternally
(M.S.Raja)
Secretary General
