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Kharge bats for CAG’s primacy in auditing GST, defence deals, demonetisation
New Delhi, Oct 10 (IANS) In the backdrop of controversies surrounding significant government decisions, Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge on Wednesday said constitutional authorities like the CAG should not fail in holding the government accountable for decisions such as demonetisation, GST and defence purchases.
His remarks came amid Congress twice petitioning the Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG) for auditing the Rafale deal which it claims is a scam that caused huge loss to the public exchequer.
Kharge, who is also Public Accounts Committee chairman, also made a veiled attack on former CAG Vinod Rai who had computed that the alleged 2G scam led to a presumptive revenue loss of Rs 1.76 lakh crore to the exchequer.
Addressing the 29th Conference of Accountants General, Kharge pointed to the crisis-hit Infrastructure Leasing and Financial Services (IL&FS) and supported the Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG) auditing public private partnership (PPP) projects.
“The public should not be left wondering why constitutional authorities are failing to hold the government accountable to decisions that cause severe economic distress such as demonetization or GST or decisions that involve huge amounts of public money like defence purchases,” he said.
“Unless the government is forced to spell out the outcomes when it launches its schemes, no one would be able to hold it accountable. We have seen how governments shift the goalposts, once failures become apparent. For example, during demonetisation, the government kept changing what the objective of the scheme was,” said the Congress leader.
“It is time that the government is made accountable for the outcomes of its schemes,” he said welcoming the CAG introducing “Outcome Based Audit” under which the auditor will assess the results of government’s various policies and scheme.
“There are a few in the government who look upon the CAG as someone who does “post-mortem analysis” and acts as a hindrance to decision making. This should not deter the CAG from holding the government accountable,” said Kharge.
“As a constitutional body, the CAG’s reports should not be based on presumptions or assumptions that cast aspersions on other public servants. A populist report that seeks to build reputation of one institution by undermining public’s faith in another would serve neither,” said Kharge whose party had demanded Rai to apologise after a court acquitted all the accused in the 2G case.
He also expressed his reservation over the CAG coming out with hundred reports annually saying most of them suffer from little publicity, unless there is a political interest in a report.
Kharge said new challenges were emerging for the CAG in cases of PPP projects where public money is used to “privatise profits but socialise losses”.
“The PAC has always been keen that PPP projects come under the CAG. Recent events with respect to IL&FS or LIC show how PPP models without oversight can put the country’s financial system at risk,” he added.
–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.
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