CAG to table first integrated audit reports in December, covering MSMEs and logistics

The Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG) has adopted an integrated approach to auditing interconnected sectors and government programmes to provide a holistic assessment of their performance, with the first set of reports expected to be tabled in December, K.S. Subramanian, Deputy Comptroller & Auditor General (Human Resource, International Relations, Coordination & Legal), told reporters on Thursday.

The integrated approach seeks to move away from isolated audits of individual sectors and bring together findings across departments to provide a comprehensive picture of performance and outcomes.

“This integrated audit is happening in a significant manner and is producing very meaningful results because what happens otherwise is there would be somebody doing an audit of the railway part separately, say, what percentage of freight moves through rail,” he said.

“Somebody [else] will talk about roads but now in one report, we will have analyse everything for a holistic picture,” he added.

Mr. Subramanian said the first set of reports following this approach is expected around December this year.

Officials present at the briefing said the initial reports would focus on two key areas — ease of doing business, with particular emphasis on MSMEs at the State level, and logistics, bringing together the functioning of the Railways, shipping and road transport departments.