Government's credibility at its "lowest": CAG -Governance Now

Government's credibility at its "lowest": CAG

The Government auditor also voiced concern at the integrity and professionalism of service officers coming under question

PTI | October 12, 2011

Observing that the country was facing a "testing time" in its history, Comptroller and Auditor General(CAG) Vinod Rai today said the credibility of the government is at its "lowest" and that decision making has become a "casualty".

Making a strong statement, Rai said governance is at its "lowest ebb" and its quality "below par".

The Government auditor also voiced concern at the integrity and professionalism of service officers coming under question.

"The governance is at its lowest ebb. The morale of the civil servant is low. The credibility of the government is at its lowest. It's a strong statement but it is harsh reality. And hence because of all this the decision making has become a causalty," said Rai who has given audit reports coming down heavily on Union government departments.

The CAG made these remarks while delivering the 26th Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel Memorial lecture at the National Police Academy here.

"Today, we are facing a testing time in the history of our Nation. The quality of governance is below par and subject to severe criticism. There has been an erosion of people?s faith in government. Their confidence in public institutions has declined. National trust in bureaucracy including the Police force has collapsed. The integrity and professionalism of the Civil Servants are being questioned," he added.

He wanted officials of various wings of All India services to take upon themselves the responsibility to help their service regain its past glory and restore the faith of citizens in civil servants.

"While some officers allowed themselves to be used, some other upright officers stood their ground preventing offences of commission. That?s where we need to be standing and counted," he said.

Later talking to reporters, Rai said he wrote a letter to PAC chairman Murli Manohar Joshi that he is willing to appear before the parliamentary body and explain the method of 2G auditing.

He however refused to comment on a letter written by Reliance Industries Limited to PAC alleging that CAG has not taken its (RIL) views into consideration while preparing the report that criticised the company for violation of contract for the showpiece KG-D6 block.

"I do not want to comment on any of our audit reports that we presented. We will follow it though in the PAC," Rai said.

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