Many of the persons in INDIA are so much interested in these days about CAG after the revelation of one of biggest Scams of Free India- the coal scam and 2G scam.However does they really now what is CAG ,well If they now then it's good however if they don't here are some words about them from the Creator of our Indian Constitution, Dr. B. R . Ambedkar. Here are those beautiful excerpts :-
I am of the opinion that this dignitary or officer is probably the most important officer in the Constitution of India. He is the one man who is going to see that the expenses voted by Parliament are not exceeded, or varied from what has been laid down by Parliament in the Appropriation Act. If this functionary is to carry out the duties — and his duties, I submit, are far more important than the duties even of the Judiciary — he should have been certainly as independent as the Judiciary. But, comparing the Articles about the Supreme Court and those relating to the Auditor-General, I cannot help saying that we have not given him the same independence which we have given to the Judiciary, although I personally feel that he ought to have far greater independence than the Judiciary itself” (May 30, 1949)
Again by our first Vice President Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan , some nice words has been put for CAG. Here is it - “Ours is a poor country, its resources are limited and we cannot afford to risk any kind of waste and the Audit and Accounts Department will have to look upon their functions as the functions of the greatest public utility ...” In conclusion, he asserted: “If I have one advice to give and if I am presumptuous enough to give any advice to the officers of the audit and accounts, it is this: ‘Do not shrink from the truth for fear of offending men in high places’.” -1954
It is unfortunate that being on such a higher post in Indian government system hierarchy , It don't have the freedom it needs right now in today's scenario.
Pandit Jawahar Lal Nehru in 1952 also came forward to favor CAG working . He just supported the CAG's criticism for the government by saying - " “He [the CAG] is not responsible to the Government and it is open for him to criticize the Government in reports. For him to be criticized on the floor of the House would tend to undermine the special position that has been granted to him to discharge his duties without fear or favor.”
These eminent persons didn't comment the personals behind CAG , nevertheless they praised the idea and working of CAG.
CAG just like the ECI are some of the true watch-dogs of Indian democracy since the time they came into existence.
