Bhubaneswar: In the new-year 2025, the country may see swearing in of a new Comptroller General of India. President Droupadi Murmu has appointed 1989 batch IAS officer of Himachal Pradesh Cadre K. Sanjay Murthy as the 15th CAG of India.
As per Govt of India gazette, President Droupadi Murmu has appointed Sanjay Murthy as the CAG by virtue of the power vested in her by Article 148(1) of the Constitution of India, with effect from the date he assumes charge of his office. (view the image below)
WHO IS K SANJAY MURTHY?
Born on Dec 24,1964 in Andhra Pradesh, Sanjay Murthy is son of former IAS officer KSR Murthy, who also had been a Congress MP from Amlapuram in 1996. He had briefly joined mega star Chiarnjeevi's now dissolved Praja Rajyam party. Sanjay Murthy’s father KSR Murthy had rose to the level of Secretary to Govt of India.
K Sanjay Murthy, a mechanical engineer graduate, has two siblings – Srikanth and Sumedha. He joined the IAS in year 1989 and was allotted the Himachal Pradesh cadre. Murthy had a long stint both at the state and central level in the fields of energy and education.
IAS PROFILE OF K SANJAY MURTHY
Served at various positions like additional Deputy Commissioner, Deputy Commissioner, Deputy secy in Industries till 2002 July
Served as private secy to ministers at Centre from July 2002 to May 2007.
Reverted back to HP cadre in 2010
Served in positions like Secretary Energy, Power, HRD/Education, technical education,
Held the position of Principle secretary to HP Urban Development ministry in 2013
Back on central deputation from November 20, 2014.
He then served in the Ministry of Environment & Forest, Ministry of Communications & IT.
He has also served in the National Institute of Smart Government (NISG), assisting States and Central Government Ministries / Departments in their e-governance initiatives.
He was appointed Union Education Secretary on Oct 1, 2021
The National Education Policy – 2020 smooth roll out in the states was done during his tenure. .
He has worked in the sectors of Power, Urban Development, Information Broadcasting, Information Technology and Education Sector in both the Government of India and in the Government of Himachal Pradesh in various capacities.
He is due to retire from service on Dec 31, 2024.
WHAT IS CAG ROLE?
Comptroller and Auditor-General of India will be appointed by the President by warrant under his hand and seal under Article 158 of the constitution, and shall only be removed from office in like the manner and on like the grounds as a Judge of the Supreme Court. (means by impeachment resolution passed in Parliament). Like SC judge, CAG also takes oath before resuming duty.
However, CAG is not eligible for further office under the Union or a state government after he ceases to hold his office.
Article 149 empowers CAG to audit accounts of Union government.
Article 151: CAG to submit audit reports of Centre to the President and State audit reports to Governors.
The tenure of CAG is 6 –years from the date of joining, but the retirement age is 65 years.
LIST OF CAGS INDIA HAVE
The CAG of India was first established by Britishers in 1860 and the first CAG was Edmond Drummond. However, the first Indian CAG was V Narhari Rao. He had served as Secretary to the Government of India in the Finance Department, and became the first Indian Auditor General of independent India on August 15, 1948. Overall, India has 30 CAG since 1860.
GIRISH MURMU (2020 – 2024) He couldn’t serve 6-year period as the superannuation age is 65 years.
RAJIV MEHRISHI. (2017-2020)
SHASHI KANT SHARMA. (2013-2017)
VINOD RAI. (2008-2013)
V.N. KAUL. (2002-2008)
V.K. SHUNGLU. (1996-2002)
C.G. SOMIAH. (1990-1996)
T.N. CHATURVEDI. (1984-1990)
GIAN PRAKASH. (1978-1984)
A BAKSHI (1972-78)
S RANGANATHAN (1966-72)
AK ROY (1960-66)
AK CHANDA (1954-60)
V NARHARI RAO (1948-54
MOST FAMOUS CAG
The 11th CAG Vinod Rai has been the most famous CAG of India for the following reasons.
In his 5-year tenure, he busted all the big scams – coal, telecom spectrum, CWG, Antrix , Irrigation et al during the UPA -2 rule.
