Government and CAG Not Adversaries - FM
ADDRESSING the AGs yesterday, the Finance Minister,Mr. Chidambaram said,
In recent months issues relating to probity, ethics and integrity have occupied centre stage. That is necessary and correct. I would strongly endorse and support the increased awareness of such issues and urge everyone to join in an informed and healthy debate on such issues. There is a consensus that corruption impedes economic development, undermines stability and erodes trust in public institutions. The C&AG has played a key role in addressing issues of good governance and the Government is obliged to take necessary action to address gaps in governance. I visualise the role of the C&AG and the responsibility of Government as complementary to each other. I also believe that both the C&AG and the Government have the common objectives of infusing greater transparency, improving financial management and ensuring better outcomes.
Unfortunately, however, some dissonance has crept into the public discourse and, for reasons, which are inexplicable, the C&AG and the Government have been cast as adversarial to each other. Perhaps, this is because of the nature of the functions of the Government and of the C&AG. Policy making, sometimes, is through trial and error. Decisions are taken often without full information and in an environment of uncertainty. Audit is a post-decisional review. I believe that institutions and individuals are always in a learning process. The recent opinion of the Supreme Court has brought about a great degree of clarity. It is my intention and desire, as the Minister in-charge of Finance, to work with the C&AG and his colleagues to erase the impression of adversaries and restore trust and confidence in all institutions of Government.