Shashi Kant Sharma sworn-in new CAG

May 23, 2013

Screenshot_1 The President of India has appointed Shashi Kant Sharma, IAS, as Comptroller & Auditor General of India, in terms of Article 148 (1) of the Constitution of India. Sharma (61) is a 1976 batch Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer of the Bihar cadre and was before serving as secretary in the Ministry of Defence.
Sharma succeeds Vinod Rai whose audit reports on 2G spectrum and coal block allocations during triggered a number of controversies and brought in the concept of presumptive loss in audit.
The CAG has tenure of 6 years, or till the incumbent is 65, whichever is earlier.
What is the controversy over appointment of Shashi Sharma as CAG ?
Mr. Prashant Bhushan (Aam Aadmi Party leader and a Supreme Court lawyer) objected Sharma’s appointment as the CAG, terming it illegal and unconstitutional. Mr. Prashant Bhushan’s laid the contention was that Sharma in the last 10 years held many sensitive positions in the defence ministry that dealt with procurements and his appointment as the CAG would mean a “conflict of interest” as he will be auditing defence deals in which he had a role as defence secretary. A public suit has also been filed in the Supreme Court challenging Sharma’s appointment as the CAG.