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Manmohan Singh on role of Comptroller and Auditor General organisation | | The Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh has said to ensure transparency in Public-Private Partnership (PPP) projects the Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG)
be permitted to look into the books of these nfrastructure schemes. Addressing
the gathering at the inaugural function of the celebrations of 150th anniversary
of the institution of Comptroller and Auditor General of India in the national
capital, Dr. Singh said: "The reports of the Comptroller & Auditor General are
taken very seriously by the media, by the public, by the government and by our
Parliament. This casts a huge responsibility on the institution to ensure that
its reports are accurate, balanced and fair." President Pratibha Devisingh Patil
inaugurated the celebrations. She released a commemorative stamp to mark the occasion.
Dr. Manmohan Singh also said that concerns regarding the inadequate and delayed
response to the reports of the CAG, the Ministry of Finance has taken a number
of initiatives which will lead to an improvement in this area. The Prime Minister
also said the benefits of detailed propriety audit cannot be under-estimated.
"There is a case for allocating limited time and resources in a manner that big
and systemic issues get due attention and we get much greater value for money
spent," said Dr. Singh. President Patil, speaking at the function, asked the Government
auditor to gain expertise in reviewing infrastructure sector projects being implemented
under the PPP mode. Her comment came on the sidelines of debate over allowing
CAG to audit Public-Private-Partnership (PPP) projects. President Patil also emphasised
that public financial accountability and probity were essential for rooting out
corruption. "As on now it (auditing PPP projects) is still a grey area for public
auditors. Therefore, auditors should gain expertise for preparing reviews on issues
relating to infrastructure projects under the PPP mode, which may involve change
in audit methodology and approaches," said Patil. Patil said that delay in implementation
of infrastructure projects was a matter of concern. "There are projects that have
time over-run or remain incomplete or abandoned halfway, which deprive nation
of the full benefits of investment. It is necessary to assess whether such projects
are indeed, in public interest," said Patil. President Patil also pointed out
public financial accountability and probity are essential for rooting out corruption.
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