NEW DELHI, May 7:Key departments where massive spending is involved should be also subjected to external audit in addition to a CAG scrutiny, the Government has suggested amid a political storm over its auditor’s findings on 2G spectrum and coal blocks allocation.
These external audits, government feels, would supplement the regular audit process and more likely to provide further leads for investigation or improvements, according to a background paper issued by Ministry of Personnel for discussions among bureaucrats on Civil Services day observed here recently.
“Beyond relying solely on audit (CAG) reports, the Centre and the State Governments should also proactively conduct external audits of some of their main spending departments,” it said.
The Ministry also suggested that all departments under it should publish follow up actions based on the CAG’s findings.
“In India, Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) is the body whose mandate is to monitor and ensure public accountability. However, CAG reports are not fully utilised to effect constructive policy changes.
“It would be good practice for all Departments and Ministries to publish in their annual reports the follow up actions taken based on CAG’s findings for the last two years,” the paper said.
The Ministry also suggested a comprehensive ‘civil services code’ for a strong code of ethics among the bureaucrats.
“In India, civil services values have evolved over years of tradition. However, there is a need for a strong code of ethics as present in other countries. A comprehensive ‘civil services code’ can be conceptualised,” the paper said.
It emphasised on having a healthy relationship between the political leaders and civil servants to avoid any conflict between the two.
“Good governance is possible only when there is a healthy working relationship between the political leaders and civil servants…India is a democracy and hence, Ministers are responsible to the people through the Parliament.
“Since implementing policies is a core function of the civil servants, the division of responsibility between the civil servants and Ministers needs to be more clearly defined,” the paper added.
All these suggestions were deliberated upon by the bureaucrats, who had gathered here from across the country to participate in the eighth Civil Service day observed here on April 21.
“All ideas were discussed. The government will decide how to act on these suggestions or observations mentioned in the background papers,” said an officer of Department of Administrative Reforms and Public Grievances, under the Ministry, which had organised the event. (PTI)
Trending Now
E-Paper
Follow our WhatsApp channel