LG writes to CM Atishi expressing concern over tabling of pending CAG reports in Assembly

Delhi Lieutenant Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena has written to Chief Minister Atishi, expressing concern over the delay in tabling the pending Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG) reports in the assembly. He accused the state government of deliberately withholding the reports to avoid public scrutiny. In a strongly worded letter, Saxena said the CAG office had sent several reminders, urging prompt action.

The 12 audit reports of Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG) received since June 2022 are yet to be laid before the Delhi Assembly. The reports include State Finances Audit, Prevention of Vehicular Air Pollution, Public Health Infrastructure and Services, Regulation and Supply of Liquor as well as Finance Accounts and Appropriation Accounts, among others. The Lieutenant Governor had earlier written to then Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and the Speaker earlier. The principal accounts (PA) office of the Delhi government has also written to Chief Minister Atishi for laying of 12 pending CAG reports in the Assembly

“It is unfortunate that the Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi has consciously chosen not to adhere to this Constitutional norm, thereby avoiding disclosure and public scrutiny of the performance of the government. CAG is mandated to conduct not just an exercise in plain accounting for ensuring financial propriety, but also to evaluate the efficacy of outcome of public expenditure. I had raised this issue with your predecessor, Arvind Kejriwal on several occasions and flagged the gross Constitutional impropriety of the government in this regard. The office of CAG has sent several reminders to my office requesting urgent action in this regard,” read the letter.

Earlier this month, Saxena had praised Atishi at an event, calling her "a thousand times better than her predecessor" Kejriwal.

“I had underscored the importance of this issue to the then Hon'ble Chief Minister on 22.02.24 and also to Hon'ble Speaker also on 09.08.2024. Apart from this, the LG Secretariat has sent several communications to the Chief Secretary in this regard. Even as the Assembly reconvenes today- presumably for the last time before the elections, the agenda and list of businesses so far does not reflect the laying/tabling of CAG Reports pertaining to government departments. You are also personally holding the portfolio of finance department and I am sure you are conscious of your Constitutional obligation,” it said.