Symbolic Status: Now CAG sets out in search of a new logo

NEW DELHI: The nearly 150-year old public audit institution of the country is going in for an image makeover. The Indian Audit & Accounts department, headed by the Comptroller and Auditor General of India, is scouting for a new logo that will highlight its authority and independence.

The office of the CAG, which is pressing for a wider authority, is looking to get itself an exclusive symbolic representation.

Like all government departments CAG also uses the generic ‘Ashok Stambh’ in its official communications.
“It is imperative that the department has an emblem that reflect its impartiality , alertness and perception in its function,” said a government official.

The department is the latest to join the rank of government departments that have gone for an exclusive logo for themselves.

While the finance ministry is gearing up to give a symbolic status to the currency ‘rupee’ , the Indian Railways is also on the look out for a new logo for itself.

The selection of the new emblem will be through a competition. The CAG’s office has called for proposals from professional graphic designers to submit concept designs for its new logo. Once selected, it will be placed before the Cabinet for approval.

The proposal comes as the CAG pursues a bigger role for itself. It has sought a wider mandate to oversee functioning of sectoral regulators that do not fall under the direct oversight of any independent body.

“New methods of management and delivery of public sector programmes like PPP, revenue sharing and licence agreements for exploitation and management of national resources have made audit in today’s scenario a challenging task,” the official said.

If CAG’s suggestions are accepted, sectoral regulators like the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority (Irda), Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority (PFRDA), Petroleum & Natural Gas Regulatory Board (PNGRB) and Central Electricity Regulatory Commission ( CERC) could come under the direct oversight of the CAG.

The CAG has also pressed for greater authority to look into end use of government public spending through schemes like NREGA and JNNURM. “With greater powers that may come CAG’s way, an exclusive symbolic representation will reflect the regulator’s authority and independence in work,” said the official, requesting anonymity.