Thoughts from the Comptroller and Auditor General of India
 Governance, in modern times, is synonymous with the concepts of public welfare and equitable growth. The basic responsibility of the Governments today is to ensure all round improvement in standard of living of the public at large, besides performing the traditional duty of providing security to its citizens. The Government therefore formulates policies and programmes which aim at achieving high rate of growth while ensuring proper distribution of benefits, both socially and regionally. The approach of the Government thus, has to be participatory, consensus oriented, accountable, transparent, equitable and inclusive.
Public Governance is based on the division of powers and responsibilities. Traditionally, such a division distinguishes between the executive, the legislature and the judiciary. Public Financial Management is the responsibility of the executive and oversight of this function is the responsibility of either the legislature or the judiciary or as in case of India by an independent constitutional authority, independent of both the legislature and the executive.
Comptroller and Auditor General of India, entrusted with the crucial responsibility to ensure that the public funds are properly utilized, is the key accountability institution in India. The C&AG of India, at the helm of the Indian Audit & Accounts Department, perform this responsibility, in an objective, professional and independent manner.
To fulfil our mandate effectively, it is important that we as a Department promote learning and knowledge sharing, as well as capacity building. Knowledge sharing is important for this department, as its basic strength is professional expertise combined with innovation.
The "Journal of Government Audit and Accounts" will provide a platform for sharing of experiences and will contribute to inculcating and encouraging professional excellence. I wish this endeavour all the best and hope that all the members of the audit and accounts community would contribute towards its progress and would be benefitted by it.
|
