The Supreme Court on Monday (March 17) issued a notice to the Centre on a PIL challenging the Centre’s power to appoint the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG). The PIL has sought an independent selection panel to appoint CAG.
The observation came as the court was hearing a plea flagging the lack of independence of the CAG.
The apex court has directed the Centre to respond to the PIL flagging concerns of CAG favouring the government and also respond to the demand for an independent selection panel.
The plea argued that the CAG is tasked with auditing is favouring the ruling dispensation.
The plea cited how the CAG audits of the Centre have reduced. It claimed that the audits of BJP-ruled states like Maharastra were delayed due to state elections.
It argued that the court has previously held that in institutions like CBI, EC, CVC and CIC, the appointment cannot be by the Centre alone.
