Rajkot:n Girish Chandra Murmu, the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) of India, today inaugurated the nation’s first International Centre for Audit of Local Governance (iCAL) in the city. Operating from the Accountant General’s office, its primary objective is setting global standards for auditing local governance bodies.

iCAL will serve as a collaborative platform for policymakers, administrators, and auditors with local governments. It aims to enhance the independence of local government auditors to improve financial performance assessment, service delivery, and data reporting. The center will standardize local government audits, enhance data collection, and train elected representatives and auditors to promote accountability and achieve Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Dinesh Patil, Principal Accountant General (Audit-I) of Gujarat, has been appointed as the Director General of iCAL.

CAG Murmu announced plans for a specialized International Capacity Building Program to enhance training for various local government departments. The training center will host programs specifically tailored for the State Government’s Panchayat Department, Municipalities, and Municipal Corporations.

Furthermore, iCAL will facilitate collaboration between audit institutions through workshops and peer exchanges, promoting transparency, accountability, and effective audit practices at the local level.

CAG Murmu highlighted the importance of institutionalized collaboration among Supreme Audit Institutions (SAIs) globally to share best practices and improve local government audit practices. He emphasized the need for enhanced auditing of local bodies, especially with increased funding allocations, to ensure efficient utilization and management.

“To effectively navigate the complexities of auditing local governments, we need to build the capacity of our auditors and local government employees to improve their understanding of financial management practices and internal controls,” Murmu said. DeshGujarat