Admittedly, telecom is a great opportunity but the reality is that India is still 160th out of 208 countries in terms of mobile phone penetration, according to the International Telecommunication Union (2021) with even Vietnam and Bangladesh boasting more SIM cards than people. Globally too, there are more SIM cards than people.
Highlighting the critical role of grassroots participation in achieving the vision of a 'Viksit Bharat', he said, “We must recognize that citizens are the principal stakeholders in the development process."
The Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG) detected flagrant violation of environmental laws in Sundargarh district, which is one of the most industrialised regions in Odisha.
The CAG's compliance audit report, 2022, which was presented in the assembly on Wednesday, highlighted several irregularities in six departments, including the Revenue & Disaster Management, Rural Development, Scheduled Tribe & Scheduled Caste Development, Minorities & Backward Classes Welfare, Co-operation, etc.
The CAG also asked the ministry to verify from other sources, including third parties, their declared value of sales to check tax evasion.
The CAG Act suffers from one lacuna; it remains silent on the vital issue of the requirementsof the post - qualifications for the incumbent and a transparent procedure for appointmentto this technical post. A Judge or the Chief justice of the Supreme Court requires to bea legal luminary or a top leader in the legal profession. Similarly, it is axiomatic that the CAG who is equivalent to the Judge of the Supreme Court must be a professional and a leader having wide experience in public auditing and accounting.
The CAG report on “Waste Management in Indian Railways” was tabled in Parliament on Monday covering aspects in managing waste at stations, coaching depots, maintenance and production units, bio-medical waste generated in hospitals.
"The money was misused by allowing contract licenses in the name of her son and other relatives. A section of the residents of the area first approached the district administration against the GP Pradhan, but the locals were not happy with the investigations and approached the High Court. The CAG has started investigations into the corruption case on the directions of the High Court,"
The premiere audit agency test-checked the land records of 13 temples of the state and found the total landed property of 12,767.679 acres of these temples.
The Comptroller and Auditor General of India Girish Chandra Murmu was among those present on the occasion.
