The government is considering a proposal to make the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) a multimember body, a move that has come under sharp criticism from the Opposition and civil society.
“It [Shunglu panel’s suggestion to make changes in the CAG] is under active consideration,” Minister of State in the Prime Minister’s Office V. Narayanasamy told PTI in an interview.
The Minister was replying to a question about a suggestion made by the former CAG, V.K. Shunglu, that CAG be made a multi-member body. Mr. Narayanasamy sought to retract his comment, but PTI stands by its story.
Mr. Shunglu had suggested that a three-member body would ensure greater transparency in CAG’s operation. One member should possess professional accounting qualifications — a chartered accountant or its equivalent.
Mr. Narayanasamy also said that CAG had become “more impatient” and he [Vinod Rai] wanted all constitutional bodies to work within their parameters.
Reacting to Mr. Narayanasamy’s remarks, Bharatiya Janata Party leader Yashwant Sinha attacked the proposal for a multimember CAG as a “very bad idea” and also “unconstitutional.”
“It is not EC”
Making a distinction between the Election Commission and CAG, he said the official auditor cannot be treated like a commission and made a multimember body. “It’s a very, very bad idea. And I agree it is in order to muzzle the present incumbent and weaken the institution. They are out to destroy the institution of CAG,” Mr. Sinha said.
Janata Party president Subramanian Swamy said the government was trying to dilute the authority and curtail autonomy of CAG because of its reports.
Civil society activist Kiran Bedi said: “I think it is the government versus embarrassment which it has faced because of the remarkable work done by CAG so far.
“The CAG has done outstanding work. It is because of CAG that the scams got exposed.”
The former Central Vigilance Commissioner, N. Vittal, said the government’s move would weaken constitutional bodies.
However, the former Chief Election Commissioner, S.Y. Quraishi, said CAG would become more powerful if it had more than one member. “I won’t comment on [its] timing, but making CAG a multi-member body would be better,” he said, citing the long experience of a multimember Election Commission.
Keywords: CAG change proposal, V. Narayanasamy remarks, coal blocks allocations, 2G spectrum scam, CAG audit, Vinod Rai
I fail to understand why cong. is not moving for CJI to be a multimember team & there are enough "buyable top judges" in the market for a place in such a team.PAC is the best example to show how a 3 member CAG can work impartially & JPC too follow suit.
Democratic route to kill democracy as thorn used to remove thorn.
Oh,God!please give wisdom to indian politicians esp.to congress
In order to cut these kind of politicians to their real size, a
constitutional amendment is needed to change PR election process. The
direct election of Members to Lower House by the voters should be
abolished and instead the elected MLAs of the state assembly should
elect the MPs (State's quota) to the Lower house. Let the Party or group
which can muster the support of the required MPs form the GOI.
What else we can expect from Congress!
Prima facie the moves looks reasonable, justified and in the best interests of the country. In democracy, we will have a formidable opposition to every new initiative and it requires wielding both the stick and carrot to implement any new proposal. Change is something to which indian politicians especially in opposition are reluctant to accept and hence it is for the ruling govt to force it through.
Qureshi should answer whether EC is POWERFUL as a multimember body? Why many politicians are submitting undervalued assets to EC? though many are multi millioneers?
If gov makes CAG three member team and puts some dubious character in CAG then the possibility is very strong that when one members finds that there is some scam in govt then other two might overthrow his view with majority vote of 2 against 1. This is not new and we have seen many times.
This is unacceptable and CAG should be left untouched.
CAG seems to be destined to go the same way as the Election Commission ! When the ruling politicians found the Election Commissioner Mr. T.N. Seshan too hot to handle they converted the Single-headed Election Commission into a threesome committee, diluting the threats faced by them from Mr. Seshan. It is history that the fear which Mr. Seshan inspired in the hearts of the politicians thinned out and vanished. No doubt we had some persons of high integrity into the Election Commission, but the results are there for all to see. Now CAG seems to be going the same way, with the current CAG giving sleepless nights for the politicians with a criminal bent of mind. The news is out that the CAG will also be made a multi-member committee, and obviously, some pliable officials would be elevated to the CAG, so that the bad elements in the Govt and their supporters/brokers, can breathe easy. Now Supreme Court seems to the sole saviour of the honest and helpless people of this country.
This may be another instance of first saying, giving some time to gauge
the public reaction and then retract if it is proving to be politically
costly, by saying that what was said was distorted or misinterpreted by
by the media. The present CAG has been acclaimed to be upright and not
pliable and wields enormous public support. It has become eyesore for
wrong doers. Hence this type of indirect threat to the constitutional
authority. Whatever might be said and done by the UPA, it cannot easily
make up the trust deficit, for several years to come.
It is prima facie evident that the government wants to dilute the
functioning of the CAG. The UPA is blaming the CAG for leaking of
information to the Public - however, there appears no conflict or
wrong-doing in this because any constitutional body is supposed to act
in the interest of the nation as a whole and this leak was necessary
since the political establishment's first action would be to suppress
such revelations. This is the intent of the UPA's move as they are
afraid of their shenanigan's being brought to the knowledge of the
people who voted them to power. Leave the CAG alone, it is doing its
designated job. Clean up the politics, UPA and opposition - it is the
people right that the elected representatives behave as custodians of
that trust.
What is wrong in trying out with the idea? What is unconstitutional in it? Was it constitutional when CAG leaked its reports? When Dy CAG held a press conference on a draft report that was constitutional, is it? Scams are different. Governments have to be put on the mat. But CAG itself is a creation of Constitution. If a multi-member body with expertise in audit, accounting is created, it will be much more representative. Further, why CAG post should be the prerogative of IAS? India is changing. Every institution should evolve to be in tune with the current sitution. No need to get hyped up. But the Minister has not done good to the institution (like CAG itself) by talking out of tune. Even if the idea is under consideration, why it should be tom tommed, creating a feeling that the Government is brow beating the CAG. It may or may not be true. Too much of loose talk on sensitive issues vitiate the atmosphere.
Now the Government at the centre is afraid of CAG as the CAG is committed to open up all the scams. To weaken CAG, a multi Member body is under the Government's active consideration. so they can nominate some the Congress shits in to the body and can stand against the CAG. Exactly what the Government have done in the case of JPC.
In such a nation like India, CAG must be a multy member body.
If they are so, they can even give more and more accuracy in thier auditing.So revamp is mandatory without any delay,
Lets simple remove CAG so that Government can do anything they want. It seems Govt want no one to question about their doings.
The additional member with power in CAG propsed multi member body with
mandatory qualification of a chartered accountant will only add teeth to
the already powerful CAG. The scams that surface from now will be more
authentic . I dont understand why everyone is seeing it as a mere
dilution of power .
Truth will be always bitter.You do wrong and if some body points it ,you crush him .UPA has looted public money and now they are making hue and cry.Swiss bank account details are available with government and they ave not taken any action because their people are involved or loot from the people involved.
CAG should be headed by one person but he should be qualified for the job and should be honest.
Instead of acting on various scans that CAG highlighed in recent past, Congress is trying to dilute the CAG organization itself. It is amazing to see the extent these politicians can go to safeguard their own interests.
Although timing is suspect, in principle, reconstituting CAG as a
Multi-member body is not a bad idea. In fact , thirty years ago, the
post of CAG was filled by the officers from the Indian Audit and
Accounts service. One can recall Bakshi and Chanda who distinguished
themselves quietly and were responsible for improvements in the
systems. However, officers of the IA&AS usually did not have to and
cultivate the political masters , since the latter did not have much
use for them. Therefore the political masters started appointing their
favourites among the retired IAS as the CAG. As expected the retired
CAG did return the favour by being not too troublesome.Most of the
CAGs were content to spend their tenure travelling to places of
pilgrimage like Vaishnodevi or Srirangam enjoying the special darshans
to him and his family. But in selecting Vinod Rai on the basis of
patronage system it has boomeranged. May be Vinod Rai had all along
wanted to teach the establishment a lesson
The decision of the Government in the wake of recent scams is a classic
case of "Vinashkaley Vipreet Buddhi". This move will anger the
sentiments of the people and definitely its another nail in the coffin
of Congress.
How much more 'patient' should the citizens of India be - they are
still pleading, non-violently, 'please don't loot us, please don't
destroy our country'; they are still talking even after suffering
repressive 'beatings and detentions'; they are still laughing off all
the 'name-callings', other insults and aggression thrown at them not
only by the ruling politicians, but also by their henchmen and
compliant media!!! For how long should they acquiesce to the Govt's
strategy of 'loot the nation and fool the people' - another 65 years?
Is it not time for honest and patriotic politicians of ALL parties to
come together to rescue the country from descending into deeper hell?
What kind of legacy are these politicians intending to leave behind
for their children/grandchildren?
Let us see how Yashwant Sinha and his other righteous BJP leaders respond when
similar things are said by CAG after the change of guard. They are just two sides of the
same coin.
When the governing party cannot buy or threaten, they try to weaken
them, just like they did to TN Seshan.
Despite all the scams that broke out during its term, Congress is not
the least bothered about containing the corruption, instead it is
trying to control the news and rewarding the corrupt. Entire congress
party should be ashamed to misuse the name.
The Minister retracts. PTI stands by its report.
~ '...Mr. Narayanasamy also said that CAG had become “more impatient” and he
[Vinod Rai] wanted all constitutional bodies to work within their parameters.'
~ what is wrong with what Mr.Rai wants?
Anyway, the right course is to appoint as CAG an IAAS officer. It is high time the
government respected the constitution and precedents.
This said, the IAS officers, who were appointed to this post took to the Audit
mandate like Fish to Water.
Already so much harm has been inflicted on the govt., unearthing scams
to forged performances there is no stopping of the CAG. It is clearly
set now that the govt. and other constitutional bodies are seeing the CAG as a threat.
Unable to face the righteous conduct of the CAG, the govt is considering
the proposal to make the CAG a multi member body................... but
the CAG has already set up the benchmark for others.
Why can't we make the Office of the Prime Minister a three member body as well?
v.narayansamy is more of politics and less of a good governance.
more concerning is the fact that common people remains silent on issues
of national importance which acts as an incentive for these politicians to restrict everything which exposes them.
better they should reform themselves.
now at least people will understand why cong. is dilly-dallying on lokpal bill.It is already too late for not having thrown-out this govt.
Scams after scams yet insensitive to the electorates who voted them to the power.
There are many organizations that has biased people working some party
or other and this need to be addressed in all democracies.In USA
republican leaning bureaucrats leak against democrats and viceversa. The
same thing is happening in India.But the RSS people in the
administration are ensuring that always happens against Congress.CAG or
other important bodies are losing their credibility.Govt should address
this and must reform the system.
Thanks to its status being the highest body under the Constitution as the watch-
dog of the State Exchequer the CAG is doing his duty in keeping the nation
informed of scams, financial irregularities etc, It is but natural for a corrupt
Government like the present one to feel uncomfortable and the idea of
constituting a three-member body and filling the same with pliable persons would
serve them as a useful ploy to get over the present embarrassing situation. It is
the same tactics which they employed while converting the one-man Election
Commission into a three-member body but it will not be that easy now as the
proposed change will need an amendment to the Constitution which will be thrown
out of the Rajya Sabha where it does not hold a majority. These are ominous signs
to indicate the the present Government is fast heading towards a theocratic State
headed by a single dynasty surrounded by sycophants. Eternal vigilance on the
part of the nation is the need of the hour.
Truth Hurts. Why not dismantle the CAG all together. So you and your
government can have a ball. Anyhow you know your days are numbered.
goodluck.
When we have a multi party Govt. to rule India this is also okay,so that
it will FUNCTION in the way of the present JPC, and everyone can loot
the nation without punishment
Sir,
It is a good to have a three member body of CAG. The CAG’s report as a single persons view without any possibility for over check creates doubt especially when centre remains weak in majority under several party-rules, pulled by alliance parties on all sides at their whims and fancies and oppositions able to stall the functioning of parliament and Govt. However great there are chances of a single person’s view going wrong and suffocating the Govt. on right path, when its hands are tied. Three members might strengthen and take CAG reports to a beyond doubt-stage, curtailing the problems in the checkless solo decisions. The apex court hears and decides matters with more than one judge. A single election Commissioner proved sometimes autocratic holding sky as his limit and elevating it as a three member body works fine. It is high time to consider increasing the body of CAG with three members for doubt-free reports to the eye of public and politicians.
Would the minister be kind enough to explain the "parameters"? - Because, from where
I stand (as a citizen) the "parameters" seem pretty clear:
1.Crores of Crores would be looted but the constitutional bodies should not expose the
scams of the Govt. (read politicians) or its masters (cooperate houses) and work to
cover-up their egregious deeds
2. If an activists find faults with the Govt. and exposes its actions, the constitutional
bodies are to frame charges at the activists
Our politicians seems intent on destroying all institutions of the country. One by one we have witnessed the denegration of the CBI,Police, bureacracy, etc. This is one more institution that is not towing its line so steps are being initiated to destroy it. Can we also suggest we have a 3 member committee as Prime Minister, etc. This would help uphold constitutional office better (as suggested by the PMO). The Congress did the same when T N Sesan became too strong and vocal and the political class acted to protect itself. Its time we protect our democracy from too much power to the politicians. A Lok Pal, independent Police and CBI are a necessity.
An auditor meant to audit the government cannot be part of the
government or be in any way associated be the government, thus
officers of audit service shouldn't and cannot be appointed to CAG.
No move to dilute the checks and balances in the system should be
followed. The CAG, CVC check blatant misappropriation of funds by
those in power.
If the congress led UPA has any ounce of shame, and has the slightest
inclination to clean up the system, they will not do things to dilute
these offices. Furthermore, mr narayana swami is parroting, what
others may have suggested. Thus the scum of corruption drips from the
walls of ministries
Where has the congress party degraded itself from. From a time when
stalwarts like shastri, patel and nehru dreamt of nation of equals and
tried to be equals among citizens to now when corruption is rampant.
Is it that we have no choice or are we bedeviled to suffer swindling
incompetents
The right honorable minister seems to be saying.."we don't like to be targetted!"..Again this is just my opinion,because its what i think..wait..yeah its what i think..
The truth has become inconvenient to the Congress politicians. They talking through their
hats. They want unfettered powers sans accountability.
Earlier we had kings like Janaka, Rama, Harishchandra, Sibi, Manuneedhi Chola and so on
who ruled their kingdoms strictly adhering to the path of Dharma.
Now we have 544 or so KINGS!! In the Lok Sabha about whose antecedents it is less said
the better.
What a contrast!! It is our Sanchita Karma that we are suffering at the hands so many
Kings ruling us in the grab of democracy.
First the Central Ministry work with greater transparency
Mr Naraynaswamy is impatient to 'tame' the auditors through PAC.The
present CAG also is impatient to prevent the looting.Corrupt always
'manage' to remain scot free. Multi-member body can be packed with
'nice' and 'managable' persons.Another option is to abolish audit
altogether.
It seems that congress is trying to make CAG also like CID and CVC.
I am wondering when will we have 3 prime ministers running this country.
A three-member PM body would obtain greater transparency in its
operation. One member should possess professional finance
qualifications, other should have good social qualification and finally
one with religious qualification.
Mr.swamy you want to weaken the CAG. You want to make CAG a multimember body based on suggestion from an individual, at the same time a vast majority of citizen of this country want CBI to be free from political intervention. This is a proven fact that without CBI support UPA-1 could not have survived its full term. Similarly UPA-2 (Mamta going out of UPA-2 but SP/Mulayam & BSP/Mayawati never dared to pull out) is in power just due to CBI support. Mr. Swamy can you give us a single example (related to any corruption case) where your party reached to the bottom or punished the guilty? You had a golden opportunity in 2G & coal scam to show that you act strongly against such corruption cases, but you failed miserably. You want to act against CAG because it is working fine & questioning your corrupt practices. Do remember constitution mandates you to work for the people of this country, ask yourself do you really?
It seems CAG is the market place for Buying and Selling Audit Reports.
Any one can prepare report against any and sell to CAG office and any
can buy any reports which are sold by some at CAG office.
How Supreme Court Justice AK. Gangully accepted the report and
delivered the verdict on the leaked report? Why GOI was not taking
action against Vinod Rai for his criminal action of leaking the
reports illegally? Constitutional protection is given for his
professional function, not for acts of leaking.
So everybody who says/mentions any wrong-doing or corruption has to work in its constitutional limits...mr.swamy..what abt members of parliament..don't they have any constitutional limits of their use of power, maintaining a certain decorum..u talk abt CAG..what abt those actually found guilty when CAG pointed them out..any comments from ur side on them...?
The government is on its usual trick.When Seshan became a thorn in their
flesh they made CEC multi member so now CAg also that means government
will go on wrong doing and will only explore ways not to bring it up by
any one
I strongly believe that the govt. of India is more willing to solve the
issues which are causing discomfiture to the congress party,statements
of cag, than the issues such as corruption and transparency in the
governance which are the need of the hour.
Yes! Whichever constitutional Authority proves to be uncomfortable to
the Executive that Authority's power should be diluted forthwith. We had
already done that in the case of Chief Election Commissioner. I think
India should be jerked to wake-up before the Executive becomes a
megalomaniac.
As anticipated. When Seshan did what he is now famous for, Congress
came back with 3 member formula. Same thing happening again. What
next? If Collectors and SPs are not "amiable" enough, then think about
appointing 3 members as District Collectors, SPs, Secretaries... Think
off taking this ahead, if CMs like Yediyurappas are seen as thorn in
flesh by high commands, we can have 3 member body working as CM!
Fortunately, with MMS in power, high command should be more than happy
to have him as "sole" PM. God save this country. We salute Mr Vinod
Rai for his dedication to the constitution of India.
It is unfortunate that most of our elected representatives do not run
the country as per the tenants of the constitution. The country has not
progressed as expected and it is clearly visible and the political class
has become richer and richer.
This is just another destruction of common man control over politicians as they had done in the case of Chief Election Commissioner.
I don't think the present CAG has been doing anything beyond his power, neither in constitutional nor in legal front. In fact I think within the government machinery we can put our trust only upon him. The multi-member body will only make the things more complicated and noisy. But, yes, I agree with MOS PMO that leaking of non-submitted CAG reports must be stop. Actually these leaking make things grievous.
I think MR. Narayanasamy, i agree with you on the pre- text that CAG
should be working within its limits, BUT, what if its already doing its
duties and additional duties of the govt. by putting lid off some high
end corruption by some of the Union Ministers, R THEY WORKING, within
the constitutional framework by doing so.
I have a Q. instead of defending the corrupt politicians why r u
checking impartial CAG, and now by doing changes in constitution
curbing power of CAG.
Its time to start delivering results rather than accusing other parties
and CAG.
the procedure u told is indeed a proper procedure but in case of 2G-
spectrum its was H,nble SUPREME COURT OF INDIA. which ultimately acted
and forced GOI to remove CORRUPT POLITICIANS.
These guys think, they can only decide what is right and what is wrong. Well, we will
tell them in 2014 that they were wrong all the way..
Let us see the full text of Mr.Shunglu's letter. The PTI news item is confusing. The Minister is incorrect in terming the Audit Report as a draft report. It is a final Report in the public domain, once submiited to Parliament. Argumentative Indians could spike the constitutional mandate, unless the President of the Audit Court has the final say. Why not appoint an IAAS officer as the next CAG
Before restricting the CAG, please make sure the observations or
comments, however unwarranted they are, are not justified. Prove that
the "leaked","Draft",'False' reports are not true before writing CAG
off.
Pathetic !
This move was expected from Congress since they were exposed in every scandals by CAG reports ! They need people who nod their heads to the tunes of Congress Govt.
BAD AND SAD to see the transparency of fighting against corruptions.
Trying to get Scott free after penetrating CAG and corrupting it also.
GO IAC GO and bull them
:|
So this is how the govt. tackles graft. Dilute the only institution that seems to be giving this govt. what it deserves. Pity there is no outrage in the media or otherwise.
The issues raised & commented by CAG are ALL relevant.
What is the purpose of having CAG equal to the rank of Chief Justice,
if serious violations of system are noticed that has cost the
country,he is aware but has to keep mum?
It is obvious,those who are upset are those who are party to WRONG
doings.When Allahabad judgement on Indira Gandhi's election
came,Congress Over ruled it by declaring emergency.
When CAG reports RIGHTLY, it hurts Congress & hence want to cut the
wings of CAG, so that the same acts merely as another routine
powerless Government Department, so that, ministers & Parliamentarians
can arbitrarily,change procedures, as they like,for obvious reasons at
the cost of nation.
Deja vu. When T N Seshan cracked down on corruption in elections as the
Election Commissioner, suddenly it was made a 3-member panel to reduce
its sting. Same thing is happening with Vinod Rai and the CAG. What
right does Narayanaswamy has to utter things like "work within the
parameters set by the constitution"? Does Mr. Narayanaswamy and the
Congress led UPA (or for that matter any party led government in any
state) work in accordance with the provisions of the constitution? No.
Mr Minister corrupt people are exposed. You want to hide them under multimember body .Please make introspection for self and corrections rather than to suit your need for corruptions
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