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International Centre for Audit of Local Governance

International Centre for Audit of Local Governance (iCAL)

Source: Indian Express
GS II: Important aspects of governance, transparency and accountability, e-governance- applications, models, successes, limitations, and potential; citizens charters, transparency & accountability and institutional and other measures


Overview

Source: PIB
  1. News in Brief
  2. International Centre for Audit of Local Governance

Why in the News?

International Centre for Audit of Local Governance (iCAL), a pioneering initiative by SAI India, was officially inaugurated in Rajkot,

News in Brief

  • The inauguration marks a significant milestone in enhancing the audit capacity and independence of Local Government auditors, promoting improved financial performance assessment, service delivery, and data reporting.
International Centre for Audit of Local Governance

  • The institute, is a first in the country as per the CAG office.
  • It aims to set global standards for auditing local governance bodies.
  • iCAL’s primary objectives are to develop and enhance
    • Standards for Local Government Audits
    • Strengthen data collection and reporting
    • Empower auditors, executives, and elected representatives through comprehensive training programs and leadership development initiatives.

Local bodies audited in India

  • Conversely, the CAG conducts audits of all funds (including the state and Central governments).
  • Keeping accounts is the responsibility of the concerned local body.
  • Many state governments have an Examiner of Local Fund Accounts (ELFA) or Director of Local Fund Accounts (DLFA) for auditing their accounts.
  • ELFA audits the utilisation of funds granted by the state government to local bodies.

Need for iCAL

  • There are around 2.5 lakh panchayats and 8,000 urban local bodies (ULBs) in India.
  • 40 countries have their respective supreme audit institutions (SAIs) conducting audits of local bodies.
  • There is a need to promote global good practices.
  • A lot of funds are flowing to local bodies now and there is a need for proper auditing of these institutions.
  • There have long been concerns about the lack of funding available to local bodies, and its utilisation.
  • A 2022 report from the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) found
    • Most municipalities only prepare budgets and review actuals against budgeted plans
    • Do not use their audited financial statements for balance sheet and cash flow management, resulting in significant inefficiencies.

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