Government to gag CAG

In a move which might see opposition from various political parties and other bodies is on Governments idea to limit powers of the CAG.

A gag order may be passed at the earliest. There has already been lot of sharp reactions from various people and bodies.

Arvind Kejriwal said the CAG appointments should be independent and neither the government nor the opposition must have a say in the selection process, BJP leader Venkaiah Naidu accused the UPA of trying to undermine the institution of CAG.

Kejriwal on Monday blamed the government of trying to weaken the CAG office, saying the UPA wants to make CAG their agent. "Government's intentions are not correct. When CAG was coming out with strong reports, government tried to suppress it. The politicians should not decide about the selection of members of the CAG. Even the Opposition should not have a say in the selection of CAG,” Kejriwal said.


Government is considering a proposal to make CAG into a multi-member body, a move that came under sharp criticism from the opposition and civil society. "Suddenly, the government is thinking to become CAG. Its appointment should be independent. There should not be any political interference of the government. The selection process of the CAG should be independent from politics and should be investigated," Kejriwal added.

The BJP has also slammed the government's intention over CAG. "They are trying to undermine the institution of CAG. The Prime Minister had earlier asserted that the observations of CAG are disputable and will be challenged before the Public accounts committee. How can the PM say that the observations of CAG can be challenged? The PAC is a committee set up by the parliament and its proceedings cannot be dominated,” Venkaiah Naidu said.

Earlier, Minister of State in Prime Minister's Office V Narayanasamy said CAG has become "more impatient" and the government it is actively considering a proposal to make the official auditor a multi-member body. "It (Shunglu panel's suggestion to make changes in CAG) is under active consideration. The government is actively considering it," Narayanasamy said.

The Minister was replying to a question about a suggestion by former CAG VK

Shunglu that CAG be made a multi-member body. However, the Minister sought to retract his comments on making CAG a multi-member body.

Shunglu had suggested that "a three-member body would obtain greater transparency in its operation. One member should possess professional accounting qualifications, Chartered Accountant or its equivalent.

Narayanasamy also said that CAG has become "more impatient" and he wants that all constitutional bodies to work within their parameters.

Reacting to Narayanasamy's remarks, BJP leader Yashwant Sinha attacked the proposal as a "very bad idea" and also "unconstitutional". Making a distinction between Election Commission and CAG, he said the official auditor cannot be treated like a commission and cannot be made a multi-member body.

Janata Party President Subramanian Swamy said government was trying to dilute the authority and curtail autonomy of CAG because of its reports. "Vinod Rai (CAG) became much independent. Government is trying to clip his wings. Government made Election Commission a multi-member body to dilute the authority of Seshan (then CEC). The government should not implement Shunglu Committee report," he said.

Civil Society activist Kiran Bedi said, "I think it is Government versus embarrassment which it has faced because of the remarkable work done by the CAG so far. The CAG has done outstanding work. It is because of the CAG that the scams got exposed.”

(With Inputs frpm PTI and http://ibnlive.in.com/news/kejriwal-bjp-slam-govt-over-proposal-to-make-cag-a-multimember-body/305216-37-64.html )