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CAG should focus on outcome-based auditing: President Kovind
New Delhi, Oct 10 (IANS) Calling the Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG) a conscience keeper of the nation, President Ram Nath Kovind on Wednesday urged the state auditor to provide outcome-based auditing and technology-driven foresights.
“Audit is not an end in itself. It is a means to make governments work better. Given this, I believe we have to emphasise outcomes as a more meaningful measure of programme value than output,” he said at 29th Accountants General Conference on “Auditing and Accounting in a Digital Era” here.
Kovind said the CAG can deliberate on how it can identify, understand and measure outcomes to study the impact of programmes, and realign its strategies and techniques to report on performance appraisals in a way that facilitates measure of outcomes.
“You are not a mere keeper of national accounts but a conscience keeper to the nation and a key partner in India’s progress,” he said and added that the CAG with the breadth of its audit engagements across various levels of governance has the unique opportunity to see where things are going wrong and why.
Kovind said while the auditor has been providing valuable oversight on operations and giving recommendations to improve through its financial, compliance and performance audits, “it is time the institution thinks of giving insight and foresight as well”.
Further, the President appreciated CAG for its data management policy and usage of data analytics in its audit work.
“Through the use of data analytic techniques you can assist in not only giving insights for the present but also aid in providing credible forecasts… You are rightly positioned to anticipate long-term trends and emerging issues related to the economy, education, health, environment and national security, among others,” he said.
The President said there has been a massive decentralisation of funds, functions and functionaries in recent times with a number of welfare programmes being executed by state governments, urban local bodies and panchayats.
“However, it is a fact that accountability mechanisms at the local level are not as robust,” he said and asked the CAG to partner with local citizens and state audit societies to train them, build capacities and issue advisories on reporting for audit.
–IANS
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Dr. Abhishek Verma Dedicates a Shelter in Memory of His Mother, Veena Verma, at KGMU; Inaugurated by Daughter Nicolle Verma
World-renowned business tycoon Dr. Abhishek Verma has supported Foodman Vishal Singh’s Hunger-Free World mission. In memory of his mother, Late Veena Verma, who was a 3 term Rajya Sabha MP.
Dr. Verma dedicated a state-of-the-art free permanent shelter for the attendants of patients at KGMU Medical University, Lucknow, under the aegis of Vijay Shree Foundation. His daughter, Nicolle Verma, inaugurated the shelter.
During the event, Foodman Vishal Singh honored Nicolle Verma by presenting her with a memento. Mrs. Nidhi Sharma and Avantika Yadav, associated with the organization, welcomed her with garlands. Following this, Nicolle Verma distributed essential items to the attendants and also handed out fruits. She became emotional remembering her grandmother on her birth anniversary.
On this occasion, she also inaugurated the “Veena Verma Sevalaya” in memory of her grandmother, Veena Verma, to serve the attendants. She expressed, “I feel proud that my family is engaged in nation-building as well as social service. Today, in collaboration with Vijay Shree Foundation founder Foodman Vishal Singh Ji, I feel immensely proud to dedicate this shelter for the poor, helpless, and needy attendants of patients battling serious illnesses like cancer. I am honored to be associated with the Hunger-Free World Mission for humanity.”
Inspired by the continuous humanitarian service provided by Vijay Shree Foundation over the past 17 years, Nicolle Verma donated 10 lakh rupees to support the cause. The purpose of this donation is to ensure that services continue for the needy attendants of patients suffering from severe illnesses in hospitals, as facilitated by Foodman Vishal Singh.
It is noteworthy that Dr. Abhishek Verma’s family has a legacy of public and philanthropic service. They are helping millions to carry forward the values and service work of their parents. On the occasion of his mother’s birth anniversary, Dr. Abhishek Verma dedicated this state-of-the-art permanent shelter at Lucknow Medical College to serve the attendants of patients through the Vijay Shree Foundation.
Supporting Foodman Vishal Singh’s Hunger-Free World mission, Dr. Abhishek Verma assured that he would continually support keeping this flame of humanity alive. He also promised to assist in providing medicines to the helpless patients.
Continuing her grandmother’s legacy of service, Nicolle Verma personally served food to the needy patients and attendants. She said, “It is our good fortune to have received the joy of doing this noble work today through Foodman Vishal Singh. I have taken another step forward in carrying my family’s values and cooperation by joining hands with the Vijay Shree Foundation. My father taught me to serve and help the needy, and I feel happy when I bring a smile to someone’s face.”
On the birth anniversary of the late Veena Verma, the event organizer, Vijay Shree Foundation founder Foodman Vishal Singh, said, “We feel proud and happy that Dr. Abhishek Verma, a globally renowned business tycoon, has extended his support to uplift our country from the hunger index. Today, on his mother’s birth anniversary, he inaugurated a state-of-the-art permanent shelter at Lucknow Medical College, which will always be helpful for the needy attendants of patients. It is a pleasure for me and the organization to receive the affection of Mr. Verma.”
The event was attended by General Manager Verma Family Office Hemant Garg, Sonu Rajput, and the organization’s volunteers, including Sandeep Singh, Parmeshwar Ji, Prashant Rao Gautam, Balram Singh, Ramesh Chaudhary, Suman, Jeetu, Anil, Suraj, Vinay, Manish Bhadauria, Manas Mehrotra, Vivek, Apurv, Happy, and others.