Model Question and Answers for APSC | “The Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) has a very vital role to play.” Explain how this is reflected in the method and terms of his appointment as well as the range of powers he can exercise.

“The Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) has a very vital role to play.” Explain how this is reflected in the method and terms of his appointment as well as the range of powers he can exercise.

Model Question and Answers for APSC | “The Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) has a very vital role to play.” Explain how this is reflected in the method and terms of his appointment as well as the range of powers he can exercise.

Ans: Article 148 of the Indian Constitution says that the CAG is a body that audits the government's finances. The CAG will make sure that public funds are used in the best way possible, and it will also help keep an eye on government-owned businesses. His appointment and authority show how important his job is.

Setting up the CAG

  • The CAG is the government's top auditor, so he or she can't have any ties to any political party. So, the President gives him the job by putting his hand on it.
  • The CAG can't be removed from office because of bias. Only the President has the power to get rid of him. His job is set for 5 years or until he turns His salary and pensions come out of the Consolidated Fund of India, which means that you can't vote on them.

What CAG can do

  • The CAG has the power to check the government's finances, including how much money is spent each year, how much is in the budget, and if any money has been stolen.
  • He has the power to help the Public Accounts Committee audit the government's finances by being a friend and a wise person.
  • The CAG has the power to check the finances of government companies and companies in which the government owns most of the shares to make sure they work well.
  • He can even look at how the state government's institutions and companies spend their money.
  • He can check up on institutions like panchayats, district councils, and zonal councils, that are part of the local government. Aside from that, he can also audit other institutions if the government of a certain state asks him to.
  • The main difference between how the CAG works in India and how it works in other countries like Sweden is that in India, the CAG audits how money has been spent after it has already been spent. In other countries, the CAG is a comptroller who can even control how money is spent.
  • So that there aren't any conflicts of interest in his office, the CAG can't work for the government again after he retires.

 

So, the work of the CAG is very important in a parliamentary democracy to make sure that people are held accountable and information is shared. Because of this, his appointment and powers are meant to show how important his job is.