Wednesday, September 12, 2012

Comptroller and Auditor General

Comptroller and Auditor General of India is the Highest Auditing Authority in India, Established by Constitution of India. It Celebrated 150 Years of existence on 16th November 2010.

Need for Auditing body was first Realized by British way back in 1858 after the transfer of Company rule to the Hands of Crown Rule. Thus an Highest Auditing Authority as  Auditor General was set up in 1860.

In 1950 it was renamed and Accepted as Comptroller and Auditor General of India.

CAG is Also Head of Indian Audits and Accounts Department. Together Both CAG  Audits and accounts department constitute Supreme Audit Institution of India (SAI)

Who Appoints CAG?


President of India based on recommendation by Prime Minister. Current CAG is Vinod Rai.


Constitutional Provision for CAG:


Articles 148 to 151 of Indian Constitution Define the Role of CAG.

Roles and Responsibilities:


Audit all the Expenditures of Union and state Governments along with the Auditing of all the Authorities companies (Like ONGC, SAIL etc) Enterprises etc which receive Finance by Govt.
It has to Probe whether the Expenditures of the Government and other bodies mentioned above are proper.
Recent works of CAG has been Commendable, due to which the series of Scams Like 2G, CWG, till the most recent one Coal Block allocations came to light.

Reports of CAG:


CAG will submit its report to President of India, who in turn Tables the report in Parliament and then the Report goes onto Review by Public accounts committee.

Finally:


The Importance of CAG came to be realized lately after 2G and other scams.The existance of such an High profile Office came to limelight only after these scams.

Being guard of Public funds, not every report of CAG gets publicity.There is a need that Political class improvises its Governance policies based on CAG's reports.
Also They should allow more effective and open debate on C&AG reports, as people have the rights to know, after all its Public fund.
The office of CAG should not be insulted, instead it should be Strengthened further so that Transparency in Governance is ensured.


Prime minister and other Politicians who are criticizing the CAG’s Methods and reports, instead should strive for Encouraging such an esteem body to Work fearlessly and effectively.

Tuesday, September 11, 2012

Special Status to Hyderabad-Karnataka Region

Hyderabad Karnataka Region is all set to receive special Status


Which is Hyderabad Karnataka Region?

Six backward districts in North Karnataka  — Gulbarga, Yadgir, Raichur, Bidar, Koppal and Bellary    :
 

 


Why a Special Status Now?


The region of Hyderabad – Karnataka Which is most Backward in Karnataka State.
It contains 21 of the 39 Most Backward Taluks in the state, according to D.M Nanjundappa Committee report on development Index.
As per The State Human Development Index, Bidar Koppal,Gulbarga And Raichur are the Most Backward Districts in the state.
Places Like Bidar and Gulbarga were the most important Places during Medieval Times, but During Modern times, the Region lacks the Development Mode.


How a Special Status is Given?


 Will be Done Through an amendment to the Constitution. i.e A New Article 371 J will be inserted and thus Amending the Constitution.
A Bill will be introduced in the parliament - > which was done in this Monsoon session.
Once the Bill is passed by Parliament With two-Thirds of Majority The Celebrated region will get its special Status like The Telengana region in AndraPradesh and Vidharbha Region in Maharashtra.

Since The Monsoon Session was Washed out nicely We may expect this to be Passed only in Winter Session.

Special Status How is it going to be useful for the people?


These Districts will get Special Priority in allocating the State funds in Development Education and Employment Sectors.
Apart from this People of this region will get Reservation in Government Jobs and Admission in Educational Institutions.

Also Constitutional Special Status, will enable the Establishment of a Regional Council or development Boards which will have its own Elected members and Budget and also Region will get more central funds for development and will be on par with the Telananga region of Andhra Pradesh.