The Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG), Girish Chandra Murmu, announced the setting up of the Supreme Audit Institution India’s International Centre for Audit of Local Governance (iCAL) in Rajkot, Gujarat.

• At the conclusion of the three-day international conference on ‘Strengthening of Grass Roots Democracy and Accountability’, Mr. Murmu said local governments played a pivotal role in shaping the lives of citizens.
• Effective accounting platforms and audit mechanisms were crucial for ensuring that public resources are utilised efficiently and for the benefit of the community.
• The CAG said local governments often interacted with multiple stakeholders, such as government entities, non-profit organisations, private contractors, leading to complexities in auditing inter-entity transactions and relationships. Addressing these challenges required a combination of specialised expertise, rigorous audit methodologies, and effective communication between auditors and local government officials.