CAG audit no longer seen with doubt, but value addition: PM
NEW DELHI: Exhorting auditors to adopt strong and scientific auditing practices, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that audit is an important tool for value addition which helps in recognising problems and finding solutions.
Addressing an event marking the celebrations of first Audit Diwas organised by the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) on Tuesday, the Prime Minister also stressed on the importance of data, saying data is information and it will dictate history in the future.
He said there was a time when auditing in the country was looked upon with apprehension and dread and ‘CAG vs government’ had become the common thought of system.
“...But today, this mindset has changed. Today audit is being considered as an important part of value addition,” he added.
Modi said that the non-performing assets (NPAs) of the banking sector had continued to rise because of wrong practices and lack of transparency followed by the earlier regime.
“You know very well how, in the past, NPAs were brushed under the carpet. However, we have put the truth of the previous governments in front of the country with complete honesty. We will find the solutions only when we recognise the problems”, he said. He said in the past information was transmitted in form of stories and history was written through stories.
“But today in the 21st century, data is information, and in the coming times our history will also be seen and understood through data. In the future, data will dictate history,” he said.
He also listed out reforms such as contactless customs, automatic renewals, faceless assessments and online applications for service delivery, that have ended unnecessary government interventions.
“When transparency is brought in the system, results are visible,” he said adding India is the world’s third-largest ecosystem for startups and already has 50 unicorns.
Modi said documents, data and files sought by the national auditor, CAG should be provided by government departments.