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CAG Calls for Tech-Driven Public Accountability in 21st Century

Comptroller and Auditor General K Sanjay Murthy has stressed the need to fundamentally rethink public accountability for the 21st century, linking it to sustainable development and good governance. He highlighted that the accounting profession must adapt to emerging technologies like artificial intelligence and blockchain to ensure effective oversight. Key initiatives from the CAG's office include data-driven audits and a dedicated AI Strategy Framework to enhance precision and fairness. These efforts aim to foster greater public trust and contribute to the national goal of Viksit Bharat through real-time scrutiny and transparency.

Key Points: CAG Urges Reimagining Public Accountability with AI, Data

  • Reimagining public accountability for good governance
  • Adapting audits to AI, blockchain & data analytics
  • Promoting transparency & public participation
  • Building professional capacity for new-age methods
2 min read

CAG emphasizes need for reimagining public accountability in 21st century

CAG K Sanjay Murthy emphasizes adapting audits with AI and blockchain for transparency and trust, aiming for Viksit Bharat.

"The synergy between human expertise and advanced technologies can create more efficient, effective, and insightful accounting and auditing. - CAG K Sanjay Murthy"

New Delhi, January 31

Comptroller and Auditor General K Sanjay Murthy emphasised the need for reimagining public accountability in the 21st century at the World Forum of Accountants in New Delhi.

He emphasised that public accountability is crucial to good governance and sustainable development, and that it requires a strong internal control environment, transparency, and public participation.

The CAG stressed that the accounting and auditing profession needs to adapt to emerging technologies like AI, blockchain, and data analytics to ensure effective public accountability. He also emphasised the importance of capacity building and skill upgradation for professionals to cope with new-age methods.

Key initiatives by the CAG include data-driven audits, the Centre for Data Management and Analytics, and the Centre of Excellence in Financial Audit. The CAG has also issued an AI Strategy Framework document to ensure these technologies increase audit precision while preserving fairness, explainability, and institutional accountability.

The CAG's efforts aim to promote transparency, public participation, and real-time scrutiny, ultimately fostering greater trust and transparency in the new economy and contributing to the goal of Viksit Bharat.

The synergy between human expertise and advanced technologies can create more efficient, effective, and insightful accounting and auditing, the CAG said. He expressed confidence that the forum would deliberate on these aspects and chart a roadmap to take the profession to new heights.

Earlier, on January 21, Murthy emphasised that the challenges and best practices highlighted during the workshop would be taken into account to improve the system at the conclusion of a three-day national workshop for Directorates of Local Fund Audit (DLFAs) and State Audit Departments in Hyderabad.

The workshop, organised by CIARD-NIRDPR in collaboration with iCAL, focused on challenges in local fund audits, PAI maturity assessments, and best practices in audit planning and reporting.

Directors of Local Fund Audits from various states discussed key issues, including the adoption of technology-enabled audit systems and the strengthening of follow-up mechanisms.

The workshop was attended by 41 officers from 23 states, along with senior officials from the Ministry of Panchayati Raj and the Office of the CAG.

- ANI

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Reader Comments

P
Priya S
Good to see the focus on local fund audits too. So much money is allocated to panchayats and municipalities, but we rarely see where it goes. A strong, tech-enabled follow-up mechanism is crucial for accountability at the grassroots level. This is essential for Viksit Bharat.
R
Rohit P
All this talk of AI and blockchain is impressive, but the real challenge is implementation. We have brilliant strategies on paper, but the ground reality in many state departments is different. Hope the capacity building is serious and not just another training program.
S
Sarah B
As someone working in governance, I appreciate the emphasis on "public participation". Audits shouldn't be a black box. If findings are made more accessible to common citizens in simple language, it would truly empower people to hold authorities accountable. Great step forward.
V
Vikram M
The CAG reports are often damning, but then what? The real "reimagining" needed is in ensuring that audit findings lead to actual consequences and recovery of funds. The system needs teeth. Technology can help track follow-up actions in real-time.
K
Karthik V
Synergy between human expertise and tech is the key. You can't replace the auditor's intuition and understanding of local context with an algorithm. But AI can definitely handle the massive data crunching. A balanced approach, as highlighted, is the way to go.

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