Latest news with #ComptrollerandAuditorGeneral
Hans India
3 days ago
- Politics
- Hans India
Delhi govt to present 100-day report card to Delhiites today
The Delhi government will present a detailed account of its achievements under the leadership of Chief Minister Rekha Gupta during a public event at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium on Saturday, marking the completion of its first 100 days in power. The event is expected to serve both as a celebration of progress and a platform to engage with citizens, inviting feedback and suggestions for future governance. The BJP government, which took office in February, marked the 100-day milestone on Friday by unveiling a 22-page workbook titled 'Kaam Karne Wali Sarkar -- 100 Din Seva Ke' at the Delhi Secretariat. Cabinet ministers Ashish Sood, Kapil Mishra, and Ravinder Indraj Singh were present during the launch of the document, which outlines key initiatives rolled out since the administration came to power. For the BJP, which returned to power in Delhi after a gap of over 27 years, the workbook serves not only as a summary of completed tasks but also as a statement of intent. The workbook details a wide range of efforts in sectors such as healthcare, education, infrastructure, and welfare. It includes a Rs 1 lakh crore budget allocation for the implementation of the Ayushman Bharat Yojana, a Rs 5,100 crore provision for a Rs 2,500 monthly assistance scheme aimed at supporting underprivileged women, and the introduction of the Vay Vandana Yojana, which provides free healthcare for senior citizens. The government also emphasised its commitment to transparency by tabling the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) reports in the Assembly. Chief Minister Gupta described the completion of 100 days as a moment of "decisive" and "impactful" governance. She emphasised that the administration had worked tirelessly every day in service of Delhi's two crore residents. She noted that the workbook is a documentation not only of promises made but also of promises fulfilled. Taking to X on Saturday, CM Gupta said, "When you gave me the opportunity to serve Delhi, it was not just a responsibility but a resolve to have politics centred on public service, and policies that are for public welfare." "In these 100 days, we have worked effectively towards realising every promise. Our priority was clear -- a development that can be seen as well as felt. Cleanliness, security, women empowerment and e-governance -- on every front, our endeavour has been to make Delhi a strong, safe and inclusive capital," she added. Gupta credited Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision for guiding the government's actions. "This has been possible only due to the inspiration, guidance and vision of 'Sabka Sath, Sabka Vikas' of respected Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The trust of the people of Delhi is my biggest strength. The foundation of change has been laid, the pace of development will not stop now," she said. Reaffirming her government's commitment to sustained progress, she added, "Delhi will now continue to move forward with the resolve of good governance and service."
RTÉ News
6 days ago
- Business
- RTÉ News
UL Chief Commercial Officer resigns from role
The University of Limerick's Chief Commercial Officer has resigned. Staff at the university were informed in an email from Chancellor Brigid Laffan late yesterday evening that Andrew Flaherty was resigning with immediate effect. The email stated that Mr Flaherty had also resigned all directorships and offices associated with or connected to the university. Last year, the university was rocked by a scandal centred on the purchases of properties at grossly inflated prices. In relation to the purchase of 20 houses intended for student accommodation the Comptroller and Auditor General (C&AG) last September found "no evidence of proper, objective appraisal of the options of the kind that should have been available to decision makers, including the Governing Authority members, when they were asked to approve the acquisition". Mr Flaherty was appointed to the role of Chief Commercial Officer in October 2020. According to the UL website, as Chief Commercial Officer he had responsibility to lead commercial operations of the university, in addition to responsibility for Buildings and Estates, Strategic support for the realisation of the Strategic Development Zone (SDZ) venture and other commercially focused projects.
Hindustan Times
22-05-2025
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Delhi HC stays CAG audit of Ajmer Sharif dargah's accounts
New Delhi, The Delhi High Court has stayed the Comptroller and Auditor General's proposed audit of Ajmer Sharif dargah's accounts. Justice Sachin Datta granted the interim stay on the pleas of Anjuman Moinia Fakhria Chishtiya Khuddam Khwaja Sahib Syedzadgan Dargah Sharif, Ajmer in Rajasthan, and another registered society. The court, in its May 14 order, found credibility in the petitioners' contention that the requirements under Section 20 of the CAG Act were not applied or satisfied in the case. The provision deals with the audit of accounts of certain authorities or bodies. "It is also informed by the counsel appearing for CAG that the audit of the petitioner has not yet commenced even thereafter... as an interim measure, it is directed that till the next date of hearing, no further steps shall be taken by the CAG pursuant to communication dated January 30, 2025," the order, made available on May 21, said. The court then posted the matter on July 28. CAG opposed the pleas challenging its process of auditing the accounts of the dargah, saying it duly followed the procedure of the law. The court was hearing the pleas alleging unlawful search or visit of CAG officials in the office premises of the petitioners without notice or information which was contrary to the provisions of the Comptroller and Auditor General's Act, 1971 and the Societies Registration Act, 1860. CAG in its reply said the Ministry of Minority Affairs on March 14, 2024 already informed the petitioner that to improve the management of dargah affairs the central authority proposed an audit and provided an opportunity to make a representation against such audit. "It is a matter of record that representation was duly made by the petitioner wherein they submitted their objections to the proposed audit by the CAG and the same grounds as are being envisaged in this petition were mentioned therein. The respondent 1 vide letter dated October 17, 2024 disposed of the objections of the petitioner and thus the mandate of the Act has been duly followed," it said. CAG said the authorisation of President of India has been received and it was informed to the CAG by the Ministry of Finance through a January 30 this year letter. The petitioners, however, argued the mandatory statutory procedure for such audits, as set out in the CAG Act, stipulates that the ministry concerned should send a communication to CAG. It said the communication should seek to have the petitioner society audited by CAG, the terms and conditions based on which the audit should be conducted, be agreed upon between CAG and the ministry concerned, and subsequently the terms and conditions ought to be served on the petitioner, following which it is entitled to make a representation to ministry concerned. It also requires, first, President's or Governor's assent before the terms of audit are agreed to.
Hindustan Times
14-05-2025
- Business
- Hindustan Times
Uttarakhand to use satellite imageries, drones to assess plantation success
Dehradun: The Uttarakhand forest department has introduced new initiatives including the use of satellite imagery and drones to assess the success of plantation drives. This comes months after a Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) report revealed irregularities in the use of funds intended for forest conservation. Until now, the number of trees planted were counted after physically visiting the sites. 'There are several satellites covering Uttarakhand, providing data at various resolutions. Using this satellite data, we can monitor plantations and activities like soil and moisture conservation to evaluate their impact. This is the first time such a technology-driven system is being used for plantation monitoring,' Rahul, chief conservator of forests (monitoring, evaluation, IT, and modernisation) said. Drones will be used to assess the overall impact of the plantation efforts. 'For instance, if a moisture conservation activity has been undertaken, drones help us determine the change in the moisture regime and the increase in vegetation in that area. Drones provide an accurate assessment,' he said. Also, all plantations will be tracked using GPS. 'For every plantation site, we create a digital file in KML format (a file used to display geographic data in Earth browsers like Google Earth). We then superimpose this digital file onto satellite imagery, which helps us determine the actual area of the plantation, whether the site was suitable, and what impact it has had,' Rahul said. Also Read: India's forest, tree cover at 25.17% due to large scale plantation works: Govt to UN 'These initiatives will be effective in evaluating plantation success and eliminate the possibility of false plantations,' he added. Aiming to bring greater transparency to plantation efforts, Uttarakhand forest minister Subodh Uniyal said, 'We must maintain a balance between the economy and the environment. Whenever forest land is diverted for roads or other development projects, we are required to provide compensatory land in return. Uttarakhand is the only state in the country where forest cover has increased after the formation of the state. Forests are important and so is development.' The CAG report, tabled in the state assembly during the budget session in February, said that the funds meant for compensatory afforestation under compensatory afforestation fund management and planning authority (CAMPA) were diverted to buying iPhones, kitchen appliances, building renovation, even fighting court cases. The report pointed out that 'at the divisional level, ₹13.86 crore were diverted/ expended on inadmissible activities. This included renovation of forest department buildings and purchases of iPhones and computers.' Also Read: Uttarakhand forest department releases report on 2,147 conserved plant species The annual average expenditure under CAMPA in Uttarakhand is around ₹ 300 crore. In March, the state forest department started the process of hiring an external agency for better implementation and transparency in CAMPA activities. However, the officials said they had started the process to hire the agency last year, even though an expression of interest was issued on March 25.
Time of India
05-05-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Assembly meet seeks to address audit compliance
New Delhi: Delhi assembly speaker Vijender Gupta convened a high-level meeting on Monday to address key matters related to audit compliance and financial governance . During the meeting, Gupta reiterated the importance of timely submission of action-taken notes on audit reports submitted by Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) and emphasised the need for improved inter-departmental coordination. Apart from public accounts committee (PAC) chairperson Ajay Mahawar, accountant general (Audit) Roli Shukla Malge, additional chief secretary (Finance) Ashish Chand Verma, and senior officials of finance, excise, and health and family welfare departments were present at the meeting. PAC is currently scrutinising the CAG reports on health, excise, and pollution, which were tabled in Delhi assembly earlier this year. You Can Also Check: Delhi AQI | Weather in Delhi | Bank Holidays in Delhi | Public Holidays in Delhi According to a statement released by the Delhi assembly secretariat, the meeting focused on two major issues: the implementation of the audit para monitoring system (APMS) and the review of action-taken notes (ATNs) on the reports. These measures aim to ensure accountability, enhance transparency, and promote timely response to audit findings. During the deliberations, the need for improved inter-departmental coordination and the timely submission of ATNs was emphasised to ensure that the recommendations of the CAG are adequately addressed. tnn
