The Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG), Girish Chandra Murmu, on Friday announced the setting up of the Supreme Audit Institution India’s International Centre for Audit of Local Governance (iCAL) in Rajkot, Gujarat.
At the conclusion of the three-day international conference on ‘Strengthening of Grass Roots Democracy and Accountability’, Mr. Murmu said local governments played a pivotal role in shaping the lives of citizens. Effective accounting platforms and audit mechanisms were crucial for ensuring that public resources are utilised efficiently and for the benefit of the community.
“Auditing local governments pose several challenges. The complex nature and diverse operations undertaken by local governments, budgetary constraints, limited trained manpower, compromised data accessibility and integrity, inadequate internal controls, and compliance with regulatory requirements including financial reporting, all heighten the risk of fraud, waste, and mismanagement in local government entities,” he said.
