CAG is a heritage & every generation should cherish-PM Modi

The government took brave decisions of monetizing unused and under-used elements. As a result of those decisions, the country is having a reviving economy and is welcomed across the world.  Addressing the first Audit Diwas at CAG premises in New Delhi on Tuesday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said, Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) is a key part of the country's development. He said the institution played an important role in productivity and efficiency. He said, earlier, various practices used to take place in the banking sector due to lack of transparency which resulted in increasing Non-Performing Assets.The PM said, there are very few institutions that become stronger, more mature, and more relevant with the passage of time. He said, most institutions lose relevance after some decades, but CAG is a heritage and every generation should cherish it. PM also said it was CAG versus Government earlier, as Audit was associated with fear. This mindset has changed  and audit is being considered as an important part of value addition.

Stressing on the reform and transparency in the system, PM further adds, online applications for contactless customs, automatic renewals, faceless assessments, service delivery have put an end to the unnecessary interference of the Government. He said today works are being done to reduce the interference of the government by following Minimum Government Maximum Governance. PM appreciated the role of CAG saying that it is modernizing the process by using advanced analytics tools, using geospatial data, and satellite imagery. He further adds, data is very important in the 21st century, and in the coming years, our history will also be seen and understood through data. On this occasion CAG Girish Chandra Murmu said, this day has been chosen to be the first Audit Diwas. He said, on 16th November 1860 the first Auditor-General took charge and today onwards Audit Diwas will be celebrated on  November 16  every year. Earlier, Prime Minister unveiled a statue of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel at CAG office. Audit Diwas is being celebrated to mark the historic origins of the institution of CAG and the contribution it has made to governance, transparency, and accountability over the past several years.