Para 3.16.2 — MSO (Audit)
Original Rule Text
3.16.2 The Comptroller and Auditor General has been relieved from the responsibility for the preparation of Finance Accounts of the Union Government, State Government of Goa and the Union Territory Government of Pondicherry but continues to be responsible for their submission to the President/ Governor/Administrator of the Union Territory for being laid before the Parliament/Legislature. The Finance Accounts, covering the accounts of the Union Government as a whole (including transactions of the Departments of Posts and Telecommunications, Defence and Railways and transactions of Union Territory Governments under the Public Account) are prepared and signed for each financial year by the Controller General of Accounts and countersigned by the Secretary to the Government of India, Ministry of Finance (Department of Expenditure). The Union Government Appropriation Accounts (Civil) are prepared and signed by the Controller General of Accounts and countersigned by the Secretary to the Government of India, Ministry of Finance (Department of Expenditure).
What This Means
The CAG has been relieved of preparing the Finance Accounts for the Union Government, Goa, and Pondicherry, but still submits them to the President, Governor, or Administrator for tabling in Parliament or the Legislature. The Union Finance Accounts are now prepared and signed by the Controller General of Accounts and countersigned by the Finance Secretary. The Union Appropriation Accounts (Civil) follow the same signing arrangement.
This explanation was generated with AI assistance for educational purposes. Always refer to the official gazette notification for authoritative text.
Key Points
- 1CAG no longer prepares Finance Accounts for Union, Goa, and Pondicherry but still submits them formally
- 2Union Finance Accounts cover all departments including Posts, Telecom, Defence, and Railways
- 3The CGA prepares and signs the Finance Accounts; the Finance Secretary countersigns
- 4The same CGA-Finance Secretary signing applies to Union Appropriation Accounts (Civil)
Practical Example
After the CGA's office compiles the Union Government Finance Accounts for the fiscal year, the CGA signs them and the Secretary, Department of Expenditure, countersigns. The signed accounts are then forwarded to the CAG, who submits them to the President for laying before Parliament, even though the CAG did not compile the accounts.
This explanation was generated with AI assistance for educational purposes. Always refer to the official gazette notification for authoritative text.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why was the CAG relieved of preparing Finance Accounts?▼
Does the CAG still have any role in the Finance Accounts?▼
This explanation was generated with AI assistance for educational purposes. Always refer to the official gazette notification for authoritative text.