India cannot become a developed nation by 2047 without focusing on the development of its hinterland, Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) Girish Chandra Murmu said on Tuesday.
Speaking at an event, Murmu emphasised that the decentralisation of power has not progressed as it should have, with rural bodies like gram sabhas still lacking the importance they deserve in the federal structure.
"More than 50 per cent of the population resides in rural areas. Without developing governance, administration, and resources at the grassroots level, we cannot achieve the goal of ‘Viksit Bharat’," Murmu said.
He echoed Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s call for collective action, saying, "If each individual takes one step, we will have 1.4 billion steps towards our goal. This is why public participation, or ‘Jan Bhagidari’, is essential."
Murmu highlighted the importance of strengthening local bodies, with approximately 260,000 panchayats and 7,000 urban local bodies across the country. He stressed that enhancing their capacity is crucial to the success of government schemes.
“Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) cannot be achieved without empowering local bodies,” Murmu said, adding that robust accounting and auditing are vital to ensuring the efficient flow of funds to these entities.
Regarding urban local bodies, Murmu warned that municipal corporations should not be allowed to raise funds from the market unless they follow proper accounting standards. He called on state governments to focus on capacity building, ensuring that local bodies adhere to accounting and auditing norms.
"Auditing not only fosters transparency but also enhances economic efficiency in government schemes," Murmu remarked, emphasising that successful outcomes can only be achieved through rigorous auditing practices.
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