No decision on making CAG multi-member body: Finance Ministry

The Shunglu committee had, in March 2011, written to former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh suggesting changes in the country's top auditing body

No decision has been taken on the suggestion of the United Progressive Alliance government-appointed Shunglu committee to make Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) a multi-member body, the finance ministry has said.

The high-level committee, headed by former CAG V K Shunglu (pictured), had in March 2011 written to former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, suggesting changes in the country’s top auditing body.

Replying to a query under the Right to information (RTI) law, the finance ministry said it was suggested a three-member body would have greater transparency in its operation.

“Of the three members, one should possess professional accounting qualifications, (be a) Chartered Accountant or its transnational equivalent. This should not seem to exclude an Indian Audits and Accounts Service officer from the triumvirate, who has wide exposure to finance, audit and accounts and best international practices in these areas,” goes part of the recommendation.

“No decision has been taken by the government (on these suggestions),” the ministry said in reply to an RTI query filed by PTI.

The Shunglu panel, which probed alleged irregularities in the 2010 Commonwealth Games-related projects executed by various government departments and private firms, had also suggested changes in Controller General of Accounts , Controller of Accounts under the Delhi government, Central Vigilance Commission (CVC) and Delhi Development Authority.

In his six-page letter, Shunglu had said the autonomy of the Chief Technical Examination wing under the CVC needed to be increased and recommended outsourcing of professional hands to assist in its probe.

The Commonwealth Games were held on December 3-14, 2010, in the national capital.