'Police, audit need to work together to ensure transparency'

The country is suffering from deficit of ethics in governance and the credibility of governance is at its lowest ebb. The police force and the audit have twin roles to play both for mandating enforcement for transparency and accountability, said comptroller and auditor general (CAG) Vinod Rai.

Delivering the 26th Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel memorial lecture here on Tuesday, Rai said, “We are among the fastest growing economies of the world, from contributing 6.2 percent GDP to the world on Tuesday, we would be contributing about 8.8 percent by 2040. Whereas, countries like China would leap from 13.7 percent to 19.4 percent over the same time frame perhaps replacing USA, Japan and Germany.”

The country was facing a testing time and so, we must ensure smooth economic development and inclusive growth by providing stability in the country. “The situation is too deleterious for the nation. We have chief ministers, cabinet ministers, MPs being questioned on accountability. The quality of governance is below par and subject to severe criticism. There has been an erosion of people’s faith in government.”

Public demand for shift of power from bureaucrats to citizens has led to change in governance structures. There are even demands for sharing of the legislative functions by moving from a representative-raj to direct people's-raj. All these demands stem from an increased awareness of the citizen to participate in decisions relating to governance, development and welfare entitlements through decentralised governance structures.

In the audit arena, he said this was recognised through social audit in which the citizens are actively involved in planning and executing the audit and by disseminating the reports to the affected community.

“There is an urgent need to change the outlook on accountability initiatives, be it audit or law enforcement agencies, and respond to them as partners in ensuring orderly and efficient use of public funds, development of sound financial management and orderly execution of administrative and developmental act,” he added.