Vinod Rai Takes Over as ASOSAI Chairman

Jaipur: The Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG) Vinod Rai took over as the Chairman of the Asian Organisation of Supreme Audit Institutions (ASOSAI).

Rai took over from the Muhammad Akhtar Buland Rana, the Auditor General of Pakistan. The 45-member ASOSAI was established in 1979.

On assuming the chairmanship, Rai asked the Accountants General to upgrade their professional skills and help their respective countries tackle economic problems.

"These major challenges have imposed an onus on public audit institutions also to widen their canvas beyond probity and compliance," Rai said.

The increasing demands from citizens and legislators require Accountants General to transcend beyond being financial auditors to an objective evaluator of outcomes of government spending and the efficiency of government delivery channels for different projects, particularly, social sector, he said.

The 4-day ASSOSAI meeting here is being attended by 42 member countries represented through their accountants general and over 100 delegates. Sixteen observers from the United Nations and other such multilateral agencies are also attending the meeting which is held once every three years.

The ASOSAI aims to promote understanding and cooperation among member institutions through exchange of ideas and experiences in the field of public audit. It promotes publication of research papers and professional articles in auditing and related fields.