Question

Who is CAG?

Answer 1

Answer: Shri Girish Chandra Murmu

Explanation:

Shri Girish Chandra Murmu currently serves as the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) of India. He assumed this prestigious constitutional office on 8 August 2020, making him the 14th CAG of independent India since 1947.

Before becoming the CAG, Shri Murmu had an illustrious administrative career spanning over three decades. He served as the first Lieutenant Governor of the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir from October 2019 to August 2020, following the reorganization of the erstwhile state. Prior to this significant role, he held the position of Comptroller and Auditor General of Gujarat state.

Born in Mayurbhanj district of Odisha, Shri Murmu belongs to the 1985 batch of Gujarat cadre of the Indian Administrative Service (IAS). Throughout his career, he has handled various important portfolios in the Gujarat government, including revenue, home, agriculture, and industries departments.

As the CAG, Shri Murmu heads one of India's most important constitutional institutions. The CAG is responsible for auditing all government expenditures and ensuring financial accountability across various ministries, departments, and public sector undertakings. This office plays a crucial role in maintaining transparency and checking financial irregularities in government operations.

The key functions of the CAG under Shri Murmu's leadership include:

• Auditing the accounts of the Union and State governments • Examining the financial transactions of government departments • Reporting on the efficiency and economy of government expenditure • Ensuring compliance with financial rules and regulations • Submitting audit reports to Parliament and State Legislatures

The CAG is appointed by the President of India and enjoys the same status as a Supreme Court judge. The office holder serves for a term of six years or until reaching the age of 65 years, whichever is earlier. This constitutional position ensures independence in financial auditing and helps maintain fiscal discipline in government operations.