The Vice-President of India, Shri C. P. Radhakrishnan, today released the book When Audit Matters: CAG Interventions That Made a Difference, edited by former Comptroller and Auditor General of India, Shri Vinod Rai, at a function held at Uprashtrapati Bhawan.

Speaking on the occasion, the Vice-President described audit as “a vital instrument for strengthening democracy” and said that it assures citizens that public money is being used for public good in accordance with law, efficiency and fairness. He observed that audit not only helps governments improve systems and correct deficiencies, but also reinforces trust between the state and the citizens.

Highlighting the importance of ethics in public life, the Vice President said that the combination of ethics and audit can be transformative, leading to improved public services, efficient utilisation of public resources, greater resilience and enhanced public trust. He underlined that ethical governance must become the moral foundation of public administration and stressed that governance systems are designed to serve public interest.

The Vice-President said that India’s traditions of accountability and ethical governance are deeply rooted in the concepts of dharma, raja dharma and public duty reflected in Indian epics and scriptures, with Kautilya’s Arthashastra laying down principles of financial oversight and accountability. He noted that these ideals were institutionalised after Independence through the Constitution, which established the rule of law, financial accountability and an independent Comptroller and Auditor General under parliamentary oversight.

The Vice-President also highlighted the importance of the accountability cycle in a parliamentary democracy, beginning with legislative approval of budgets and continuing through audit and examination by Public Accounts Committees. He said this process establishes a comprehensive framework of fiscal oversight and strengthens democratic control over public finances.

Emphasising the need for continuous improvement in auditing systems, the Vice President stressed the importance of training, technology upgrades, performance evaluation, data analytics and sectoral expertise. He also remarked that auditors themselves must be subject to the highest standards of integrity and ethical conduct.

The Vice-President complimented Shri Vinod Rai and his colleagues for bringing together experiences of former senior audit officers and presenting the stories behind significant audits in an accessible and anecdotal style. He noted that the publication examines governance and accountability in South Asia under a project spearheaded by the Institute of South Asian Studies, National University of Singapore.

Expressing confidence that the book would be widely read and debated, the Vice-President said that the publication enriches public discourse and reinforces the enduring importance of institutional accountability in a vibrant democracy.

Among those present on the occasion were Shri Vinod Rai, former Comptroller and Auditor General of India; Dr. Iqbal Singh Sevea, Director, Institute of South Asian Studies, Singapore; Shri Kapish Mehra, Managing Director, Rupa Publications;  former senior officers of the Indian Audit and Accounts Service who contributed to the book; and other distinguished dignitaries.

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