Tamil Nadu Repatriates Senior Audit Officials amidst Conflict with CAG

Tensions are escalating between the Tamil Nadu government and the Comptroller and Auditor General following the abrupt removal of the state's director-general of audit. The DG, D Jaisankar, alleges he was repatriated after objecting to the hasty settlement of audit objections. The state finance secretary called for a meeting on April 1, where Jaisankar was asked to withdraw his orders. When he refused, he was sent back to his parent organization, the CAG.

Sources indicate the problem arose from rapid resolving of 300-400 audit objections in one-hour joint sittings, concerning Jaisankar and CAG Audit offices. He issued a directive to modify the process, requiring annotated statements and clearance certificates before objections could be settled. However, due to staff shortages, the clearance process slowed down, leading to complaints to the finance secretary.

In response, the finance secretary defended Jaisankar's repatriation, citing violations of state rules and alleged misuse of authority by Jaisankar and his consultants. He emphasized the need for an impartial investigation into integrity-related issues, stating that the Tamil Nadu government's decision was warranted.

Jaisankar's changes aimed to improve oversight and alleviate pressure on audit offices in Tamil Nadu. However, the delays caused dissatisfaction among government and local body officials, leading to complaints and the eventual meeting on April 1.

This confrontation highlights broader issues surrounding audit processes and governance in Tamil Nadu. The outcome of Tamil Nadu-CAG conflict remains uncertain, pending further investigation and intervention by the CAG. However, it serves as a reminder of the challenges inherent in balancing efficiency with accountability in government auditing.