New book advocates restructuring of CAG

New Delhi, July 14 (UNI) A new book advocates restructuring the office of CAG and empowering field outfits by way of delegation and decentralisation so that the quality of audit improves.

Parliament's active support to CAG and strengthening the Public Accounts Committee is sought so that it becomes effective instrument of surveillance and control over the Government, which develops a tendency to exercise power arbitrarily and capriciously, once elected to office.

Former Chief Justice of India VN Khare launched the book- "Government Accountability and Public Audit-Re-engineering the Comptroller and Auditor General of India" at India Habitat Centre last evening.

The book is authored by Dr BP Mathur, a former member of the Indian Audit and Accounts Service, with extensive hands-on experience of the working of the government who has worked as Deputy Comptroller and Auditor General and Chairman of Audit Board. He has also served as Director General of the Audit Central Revenues and Accoutant General in Maharashtra.

Dr Mathur's book deals with various issues relating to the functioning of the office of Comptroller and Auditor General, the constraints from which it suffers, and suggests measures to make it an effective institution.

Dr Mathur's book is of great relevance not only to audit practioners, but to public officials and students of public administrtion It is also useful to parliamentrians and elected representatives, who wish to understand the nuances of the legislature's control over national finance. The social activists and NGOs, who plead for social audit of government activities and work for transparency in government, may find the book particularly useful, as public audit is their best ally.

UNI