Mizoram follow other states in having AG

Aizawl, Apr 26: With the laying of the foundation stone for Accountant General's office here today, Mizoram has become the last Indian state to have its own AG office.

Comptroller and Auditor General of India Vijayendra Nath Kaul arrived in Aizawl yesterday afternoon to lay the foundation stone at the New Capital Complex, Khatla.

On his arrival, the CAG met the press where he pointed out that Mizoram is the only state in India without an accountant general office and the laying of the foundation stone for the office would be a significant achievement.

He said the building would be constructed by the Central PWD at the cost of Rs 11 crore and would expectedly be completed by December 2008.

Kaul informed the press that the staff sanctioned for Mizoram AG office is 200, but that much number would not be attached for the time being due to infrastructural shortfalls. He said the AG would start functioning with 40-50 staff, which would be transferred from the Shillong office.

Lalramthanga Tochhawng, IA&AS, will become the first accountant general of Mizoram. However, on the request of the Mizoram chief minister, he will be retained for two more months as the Agriculture commissioner, the post he presently is deputed to, the CAG informed.

Answering queries, the CAG made it clear that the CAG has no judicial authority to mention names in its reports, and neither does it have authority to execute action against misappropriation of funds, which might have been mentioned in CAG report.

"The CAG report is not a judgment of the court. We can say there is something, but we don't have judicial authority to mention names in particular," he said.

He added, "What is the need for this audit if no action is taken against those responsible for misuse of funds is the common question I have been asked wherever I went. Action is to be taken by the government. However, there is no doubt that the public expectation is much higher than the system. We are also taking utmost efforts to make our audits more effective."

UNI