India today took over the chair of assembly and
governing board of Association of Supreme Audit Institutions (ASOSAI).
Comptroller and Auditor General of India, Mr. Vinod Rai is the new
chairman of the 45 nation strong Asian Organization of the Institutions
of the Accountants General. ASOSAI is the largest regional organization
of the government auditors. Mr. Rai takes over the prestigious post
from Pakistan. In his speech delivered at the 12th ASOSAI meeting year
the outgoing chairman of ASOSAI and Auditor General of Pakistan Mr.
Muhammad Akhtar Buland Rana expressed the hope that Mr. Rai will take
the Auditors institution to new heights. The ASOSAI aims to promote
understanding and cooperation among member institutions through exchange
of ideas and experiences in the field of public audit. On assuming the
new post, Mr. Rai exhorted the Accountants General to upgrade their
professional skills and help their respective countries combat the grave
economic problems facing each nation. “These major challenges have
imposed an onus on public audit institutions also to widen their canvas
beyond probity and compliance. The increasing demands from citizens and
legislature require AGs to transgress beyond being financial auditors to
an objective evaluator of outcomes of government spending and the
efficiency of government delivery channels for different projects
particularly in the social sector”, Mr. Rai said. He said that audit
reports must recommend mid course corrections based on an objective
analysis of the implementation of government projects. He reiterated the
need for positive reporting and balanced observations. Mr. Rai welcomed
the UN General Assembly resolution recognizing the autonomy and
independence of Supreme Audit Institutions (SAIs). The resolution says
“SAIs can accomplish their tasks objectively and effectively only if
they are independent of the audited entity and are protected against
outside influence.” It also recognizes “the important role of SAIs in
promoting the efficiency, accountability, effectiveness and transparency
of public administration.”
Shri Vinod Rai, also said that traditionally, Public Audit was rule based and was concerned with probity and compliance alone. Recently, increasing demands from stakeholders to know more about performance and results has altered the perception of the role of the Auditors General in most countries. The SAIs` role has expanded from being merely an auditor of financial transactions of the Government to that of a promoter of an organisations’ performance and to act as a powerful trustee of public good. Our Reports provide an opportunity to the Government to make mid-course corrections and improve service delivery. He also said that keeping in view the increasing importance of environmental issues globally and to provide the necessary skills to auditors in auditing environmental issues, they are setting up an international environment audit training facility.
Shri Vinod Rai, also said that traditionally, Public Audit was rule based and was concerned with probity and compliance alone. Recently, increasing demands from stakeholders to know more about performance and results has altered the perception of the role of the Auditors General in most countries. The SAIs` role has expanded from being merely an auditor of financial transactions of the Government to that of a promoter of an organisations’ performance and to act as a powerful trustee of public good. Our Reports provide an opportunity to the Government to make mid-course corrections and improve service delivery. He also said that keeping in view the increasing importance of environmental issues globally and to provide the necessary skills to auditors in auditing environmental issues, they are setting up an international environment audit training facility.
