K Sanjay Murthy took oath as the new Comptroller and Auditor General of India on Thursday. Former Higher Education Secretary K Sanjay Murthy was sworn in as the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) of India by President Draupadi Murmu. According to PTI news, Murthy, a 1989 batch Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer of Himachal Pradesh cadre, will replace Girish Chandra Murmu. Murthy was appointed the new CAG by the central government on Monday.
Girish Chandra Murmu’s tenure ended on Wednesday
According to the news, Girish Chandra Murmu completed his tenure as Comptroller and Auditor General of India on Wednesday. K Sanjay Murthy was sworn in as the Comptroller and Auditor General of India at a ceremony held at 10 am on November 21 at the Republic Pavilion of the Rashtrapati Bhavan, the President’s Office said in a statement. He took the oath of office before the President. Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar, Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan and Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal and others were present at the swearing-in ceremony.
What is the role of CAG?
The Comptroller and Auditor General of India is the supreme authority responsible for the external and internal audit of the expenditure of national and state governments. It is known as CAG of India. Its role is to maintain the provisions of the Indian Constitution and laws made by the Parliament in the field of financial administration. The accountability of the executive (i.e. Council of Ministers) to Parliament in the field of financial administration is secured through the CAG Report. This office is responsible to and representative of the Parliament and audits expenditure on its behalf.
Article 149 of the Constitution provides the legal basis for Parliament to determine the duties and powers of the CAG in relation to the accounts of the Union and the States and any other authority or body. The CAG Duties, Powers and Conditions of Service Act, was passed in the Parliament in 1971. This Act was amended in 1976 to separate accounts from audit in the Government of India.
