CAG set to conduct comprehensive audit of country's health sector

The Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG) is in the process of conducting a comprehemsive audit of the country's health sector, and is adopting an approach that is different from earlier exercises done by the CAG, that had a more piecemeal-like approach.

Earlier, state level auditors general (AGs) would choose a subject such as health management, procurement or vacancies, and so on, and audit particular aspects of that theme.

For instance, a CAG report had shown earlier this year that the condition of the health sector in Bihar was far from optimum, as there was a significant shortfall of facilities and staff.

CAG had conducted performance audits in five districts Patna, Biharsharif, Hajipur, Jehanabad and Madhepura for the period 2014-15 to 2019-20, and found a 52-92 per cent shortage of beds under the Indian Public Health Standards in the district hospitals.

The sources added that the audit would not be published at one go.

One whether or not Covid period will be covered, the source cited said it would.

The CAG will look at the chief vigilance commission's guidelines as well as project management guidelines to achieve this, he said.

On which programmes would come under the health audit, he said programmes such as NRHM, Ayushman Bharat would come, but they will all be a part of the comprehensive audit.

Sources said CAG is also looking at auditing urban local bodies, which were given powers under the 74th Constitutional amendment brought in 1993.

The 74th Amendment Act established a mandate for decentralising powers and authorities to Urban Local Bodies (ULB) at various levels. 

This amendment also aimed to create an institutional framework for grassroots democracy through self-governing local bodies in urban areas of the country.