Sanjay Murthy assumes office as India’s new CAG

Sub: Polity

Sec: Constitution

Context:

Sanjay Murthy, a senior Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer from the Himachal Pradesh, has assumed office as the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) of India.

Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG):

The Constitution of India (Article 148) provides for an independent office of the Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG).
He is the head of the Indian Audit and Accounts Department.

Term and appointment:

The CAG is appointed by the President of India.
The CAG holds office for a term of 6 years or until the age of 65 years, whichever is earlier.
He can resign any time from his office by addressing the resignation letter to the president. He can also be removed by the president on same grounds and in the same manner as a judge of the Supreme Court.
The CAG is not eligible for any further office after the end of their tenure either in the Government of India or any State Government.

Role and functions of the CAG:

The primary role of the CAG is to audit the accounts of the Union and State governments. The CAG ensures that government funds are used properly and that public resources are accounted for correctly.
The CAG also audits the accounts of public sector undertakings (PSUs) and other organizations that are financed by the government.
After conducting audits, the CAG submits the audit reports to the President of India, who lays the report before Parliament.
The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) of Parliament examines the CAG’s reports.