No Decision on Making CAG Multi-Member Body: Finance Ministry

New Delhi: No decision has been taken on a suggestion by the UPA government-appointed Shunglu Committee to make the Comptroller Auditor General (CAG) a multi-member body, the Finance Ministry has said.

The high-level committee, headed by former CAG V K Shunglu, had in March 2011 written to former prime minister Manmohan Singh suggesting changes in the country's top auditing body.

Replying to an RTI query, the Finance Ministry said that it was suggested for CAG that a three-member body would have greater transparency in its operation.

"Out of the three members, one member should possess professional accounting qualifications, CA or its transnational equivalent. This should not seem to exclude an Indian Audits and Accounts Service (IAAS) officer from the triumvirate, who has wide exposure to finance, audit and accounts and best international practices in these areas."

"No decision has been taken by the government (on these suggestions)," the ministry said in response to the RTI query filed by PTI.

The Shunglu panel, which probed alleged irregularities in 2010 Commonwealth Games-related projects executed by various government departments and private firms, had also suggested changes in Controller General of Accounts (CGA), Controller of Accounts under Delhi government, Central Vigilance Commission (CVC) and Delhi Development Authority (DDA).

In his six-page letter, Mr Shunglu had said that autonomy of Chief Technical Examination wing under the CVC needs to be increased and recommended outsourcing of professional hands to assist in its probe.

The Commonwealth Games were held from December 3-14, 2010 in the national capital.