- The Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG) is the supreme audit institution of India, responsible for auditing the receipts and expenditures of the Union government, state governments, and various public sector undertakings.
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Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG)
- The Constitution of India (Article 148) provides for an independent office of the Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG).
- He is the head of the Indian Audit and Accounts Department and is one of the bulwarks of the democratic system of government in India
- He is the guardian of the public purse and controls the entire financial system of the country at both the levels–the Centre and the state.
- His duty is to uphold the Constitution of India and laws of Parliament in the field of financial administration.
Constitutional Provisions for Office of CAG
- Article 148 broadly deals with the CAG appointment, oath and conditions of service.
- Article 149 deals with Duties and Powers of the Comptroller and Auditor-General of India.
- Article 150 says that the accounts of the Union and of the States shall be kept in such form as the President may, on the advice of the CAG, prescribe.
- Article 151 says that the reports of the Comptroller and Auditor-General of India relating to the accounts of the Union shall be submitted to the president, who shall cause them to be laid before each House of Parliament.
- Article 279–Calculation of “net proceeds” is ascertained and certified by the Comptroller and Auditor-General of India, whose certificate is final
Duties of CAG
- CAG audits the accounts related to all expenditure from the Consolidated Fund of India, Consolidated Fund of each state and UT having a legislative assembly.
- CAG audits all expenditure from the Contingency Fund of India and the Public Account of India as well as the Contingency Fund and Public Account of each state.
- CAG audits all trading, manufacturing, profit and loss accounts, balance sheets and other subsidiary accounts kept by any department of the Central Government and the state governments.
- CAG audits the receipts and expenditure of all bodies and authorities substantially financed from the Central or State revenues; government companies; other corporations and bodies, when so required by related laws.
- He ascertains and certifies the net proceeds of any tax or duty and his certificate is final on the matter.