Controller General of Accounts (CGA) in UPSC Exam
Controller General of Accounts (CGA) is important for UPSC Prelims as it will come under Current Affairs as well as Polity section of the UPSC Prelims Syllabus. Controller General of Accounts (CGA) is also important part of UPSC Mains GS Paper 2 syllabus.
Controller General of Accounts (CGA) in News
- Recently, Ms Bharati Das took charge as the new Controller General of Accounts (CGA).
- Ms Das is the 27th Controller General of Accounts (CGA), Ministry of Finance, Government of India.
UIDAI Audit: CAG Flags Several Issues in Aadhaar Card
Who is Controller General of Accounts (CGA)?
- About: Controller General of Accounts (CGA) is ‘the Principal Advisor’ on Accounting matters to the Union Government and is responsible for establishing and maintaining a technically sound Management Accounting System.
- Controller General of Accounts (CGA) in Ministry of Finance heads the organisation and is responsible for administering this system.
- Parent Ministry: Controller General of Accounts (CGA) is part of the Department of Expenditure, Union Ministry of Finance.
- Constitutional Provision: Controller General of Accounts derives his mandate from Article 150 of the Constitution.
- Key Objective: As a professional accounting organization, CGA aims to strengthen governance though excellence in public financial management.
- Functioning: The Office of CGA prepares monthly and annual analysis of expenditure, revenues, borrowings and various fiscal indicators for the Union Government.
- The Annual Appropriation Accounts (Civil) and Union Finance Accounts are submitted to Parliament under Article 150 of the Constitution.
- Along with these documents, an M.I.S Report titled ‘Accounts at a Glance’ is prepared and circulated to Hon’ble Members of Parliament.
PMLA and FEMA- Controlling Money Laundering
Key Responsibilities of Controller General of Accounts (CGA)
The statutory mandate as incorporated in the Allocation of Business Rules 1961 brings out the duties and responsibilities of CGA as below:
- General principles of Government accounting relating to Union or State Governments and form of accounts, and framing or revision of rules and manuals relating thereto;
- Reconciliation of cash balance of Union Government with Reserve Bank in general and, in particular, of Reserve Deposits pertaining to Civil Ministries or Departments;
- Overseeing the maintenance of adequate standards of accounting by Central Civil Accounts Offices;
- Consolidation of monthly accounts, preparation of review of trends of revenue realization and significant features of expenditure etc and preparation of annual accounts (including Summary, Civil Appropriation Accounts) showing under the respective heads, the annual receipts and disbursements for the purpose of the Union Government;
- Administration of Central Treasury Rules and Central Government Account (Receipt and Payment Rules 1983);
- Coordination and assistance in the introduction of management accounting system in Civil Ministries or Departments;
- Cadre management of Group ‘A’ (Indian Civil Accounts Service) and Group ‘B’ Officers of the Central Civil Accounts Offices;
- Matters relating to the Central Civil Accounts staff belonging to Group ‘C’ and ‘D’;
- Disbursement of Pension through Public Sector Banks (PSBs) in respect of Central Civil Pensioners, Freedom Fighters, High Court Judges, Ex-M.P.s and Ex-Presidents.
