Which of the following statements about the Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG) are correct? 1. The CAG will hold office for a period of six years from the date he assumes office. He shall vacate office on attaining the age of 65 years, if earlier than the expiry of the 6-year term. 2. The powers of CAG are derived from the Constitution of India. 3. The CAG is a multi-member body appointed by the President of India in consultation with the Prime Minister and the Council of Ministers. 4. The CAG may be removed by the President only on an address from both Houses of Parliament, on the grounds of proven misbehaviour or incapacity.
1, 2 and 4
Understanding the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) of India
The Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) of India is a vital constitutional authority. Established under Article 148 of the Constitution, the CAG is the head of the Indian Audit and Accounts Department. The CAG's main role is to audit all receipts and expenditures of the Government of India and the state governments, as well as the accounts of government companies and corporations. This function makes the CAG a crucial guardian of the public purse.
Analyzing the Statements about the CAG
Let's carefully examine each statement provided in the question concerning the Comptroller and Auditor General of India:
- Statement 1: The CAG will hold office for a period of six years from the date he assumes office. He shall vacate office on attaining the age of 65 years, if earlier than the expiry of the 6-year term.
- Statement 2: The powers of CAG are derived from the Constitution of India.
- Statement 3: The CAG is a multi-member body appointed by the President of India in consultation with the Prime Minister and the Council of Ministers.
- Statement 4: The CAG may be removed by the President only on an address from both Houses of Parliament, on the grounds of proven misbehaviour or incapacity.
Detailed Examination of Each Statement
Statement 1: Tenure and Age Limit of CAG
This statement discusses the term of office for the Comptroller and Auditor General. According to the Comptroller and Auditor-General's (Duties, Powers and Conditions of Service) Act, 1971, the CAG holds office for a term of six years from the date he assumes office. However, the CAG must also vacate office if they attain the age of 65 years, even if the six-year term is not yet complete. The earlier of these two conditions determines the end of their tenure.
Based on this, Statement 1 is correct.
Statement 2: Source of CAG's Powers
This statement concerns where the powers of the Comptroller and Auditor General come from. Article 148 of the Indian Constitution provides for the office of the CAG. Article 149 empowers Parliament to define the duties and powers of the CAG by law. The Comptroller and Auditor-General's (Duties, Powers and Conditions of Service) Act, 1971, enacted by Parliament, details these. Therefore, the fundamental basis and framework for the CAG's powers and duties are indeed derived from the Constitution of India.
Based on this, Statement 2 is correct.
Statement 3: Nature of CAG Body and Appointment Process
This statement claims the CAG is a multi-member body and describes the appointment process. The Comptroller and Auditor General of India is a single-member office, not a multi-member body like the Election Commission of India or the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC). The CAG is appointed by the President of India. While the President acts on the aid and advice of the Council of Ministers headed by the Prime Minister, describing the CAG as a multi-member body is incorrect. Also, the consultation part as stated isn't the constitutional provision itself.
Based on this, Statement 3 is incorrect because the CAG is a single-member body.
Statement 4: Removal Process of CAG
This statement describes how the Comptroller and Auditor General can be removed from office. The CAG enjoys security of tenure and can be removed by the President only in accordance with the procedure laid down in the Constitution for the removal of a Supreme Court Judge. This procedure requires an address from both Houses of Parliament (Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha), supported by a special majority in each house, on the grounds of proven misbehaviour or incapacity.
Based on this, Statement 4 is correct.
Summary of Correct Statements
After analyzing each statement, we find that statements 1, 2, and 4 are correct, while statement 3 is incorrect.
- Statement 1 is correct (Tenure and age limit).
- Statement 2 is correct (Powers derived from Constitution).
- Statement 3 is incorrect (CAG is a single-member body).
- Statement 4 is correct (Removal process like a Supreme Court Judge).
Therefore, the correct statements are 1, 2, and 4.
Revision Table: Key Facts about CAG
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Constitutional Article | Article 148 to 151 |
| Appointing Authority | President of India |
| Term of Office | 6 years or till 65 years of age, whichever is earlier |
| Nature of Body | Single-member |
| Removal Process | Similar to a Supreme Court Judge (Address by Parliament, President's order) |
| Grounds for Removal | Proven misbehaviour or incapacity |
Additional Information on CAG's Role and Functions
The Comptroller and Auditor General plays a critical role in ensuring accountability and transparency in the government's financial administration. Some key functions include:
- Auditing the accounts of the Union and State governments.
- Auditing government companies and certain other corporations and bodies when required by law.
- Submitting audit reports to the President (for Union accounts) or the Governor (for State accounts), who shall cause them to be laid before the respective legislatures.
- Auditing receipts and expenditure of bodies financed from Union or State revenues.
The CAG is often referred to as the 'Guardian of the Public Purse' and acts as a watchdog on public finance.
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