Goverment's move for multi-member CAG comes under attack

NEW DELHI: Government is considering a proposal to make Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) into a multi-member body, a move that came under sharp criticism from the opposition and civil society. "It (Shunglu panel's suggestion to make changes in CAG) is under active consideration. The government is actively considering it," Minister of State in the Prime Minister's Office V Narayanasamy told in an interview.

The Minister was replying to a question about a suggestion by former Comptroller and Auditor General V K Shunglu that CAG be made a multi-member body. The Minister sought to retract his comments on making CAG a multi-member body but stands by its story.

Shunglu had suggested that "a three-member body would obtain greater transparency in its operation. One member should possess professional accounting qualifications, Chartered Accountant or its equivalent.

Narayanasamy also said that Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG) has become "more impatient" and he wants that all constitutional bodies to work within their parameters. Reacting to Narayanasamy's remarks, BJP leader Yashwant Sinha attacked the proposal as a "very bad idea" and also "unconstitutional". Making a distinction between Election Commission and CAG, he said the official auditor cannot be treated like a commission and cannot be made a multi-member body.