Nothing to fear from audit if decisions are transparent: CAG

Bureaucrats need not fear CAG if their decisions are transparent, correct and judicious, the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) Shashi Kant Sharma said today.
"Public Services have become more citizen-centric and people expect better quality, timely delivery and efficient management in delivery of these services and bureaucracy should have no fear from Audit if the decisions are transparent, correct and judicious," Sharma said while interacting with the Indian Information Service Probationers.
Sharma further said that the technological advances, social media and RTI have raised the aspirations of people and citizens are now becoming more alert and are demanding better governance and accountability, according to a statement issued by the apex auditor.

"The instrumentalities of governance have changed as a large amount of money is now being spent through local bodies and PPP mode," he said.
"The CAG Institution is fully aware of these emerging situations and we would continue to play an important role in improving the governance and accountability," he added.
Sharma noted that IIS officers have a tremendous responsibility of publicizing the government policies and programmes and citizen-centric projects should not take a back seat in their publicity efforts.
Exhorting the young officers, Sharma said their training coupled with their rich and diverse academic record will enrich the Indian Information Service.

Encouraging the probabationers to embrace the new technologies, the CAG said that the emergence of new media including social and digital media will be playing an important role in the communication strategies.