The Comptroller and Auditor General ( CAG ) of India, Shri Girish Chandra Murmu, inaugurated the “Local Governance Synergy Conclave” organised by the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India ( ICAI ) through its Committee on Public and Government Financial Management ( CPGFM ).
Under the theme “सशक्त भारत: An Initiative to Strengthen Local Self-Government Accounting (स्थानीय स्वशासन की विकसित भारत में भूमिका)”, the event seeks to improve decision-making processes within local self-governments. The conclave brought together key stakeholders, including officials from the Office of the CAG, Ministry of Panchayati Raj (MoPR), Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA), and Ministry of Rural Development (MoRD), as well as principal secretaries, panchayat officers, state accountant generals, and municipal commissioners.
Key Highlights and Speeches
Shri Girish Chandra Murmu emphasized the crucial role of local participation in achieving the vision of a “Viksit Bharat” ( Developed India ). “Citizens are the principal stakeholders in the development process. Without focusing on local participation, true progress cannot be achieved,” he stated. Highlighting the lack of accounting officers at the local level, he praised the collaborative effort with ICAI to develop a Certificate Course for Accountants of Panchayats and Municipal Bodies. “This synergy must continue to ensure sustainable growth and financial accountability across the country,” he added.
CA. Ranjeet Kumar Agarwal, President of ICAI, expressed pride in the institute’s robust examination system, acknowledged by the Supreme Court of India. “Our collaboration with the CAG to empower accounting at the local level underscores our dedication to nation-building,” he said. He also mentioned past initiatives, such as assisting the Indian Railways in transitioning to a double-entry accounting system.
Shri Vivek Bhardwaj, IAS, Secretary of MoPR, highlighted the pivotal role of panchayats in driving grassroots progress. “The synergy between ICAI and CAG will make significant strides in strengthening the financial framework at the local level,” he noted.
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Shri Subir Mallick, IAAS, Deputy CAG (Defence and LGA), pointed out the need for trained accountants in villages. “Many educated individuals are seeking employment but lack the necessary accounting training. Basic training through this course is crucial to bridge this gap,” he said.
Ashwini Bhatia, Whole-Time Member of the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI), stressed the importance of developing the corporate bond market and municipal bonds to fund larger projects. “Addressing accounting challenges at the municipal level will unlock greater financial opportunities, enabling cities to grow and thrive,” he remarked.
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Ms. Yashodhara Ray Chaudhuri, IAAS, Additional Deputy CAG (Local Governance Audit) and Chairperson of the Board for Local Bodies Accountants Certification (BLoAC), lauded ICAI’s professionalism in panchayat accounting. “Today marks a significant milestone as we felicitate the toppers of the Certificate Course for Accountants of Panchayats and Municipal Bodies. This achievement reflects our commitment to strengthening financial governance at the grassroots level,” she said.
Felicitation Ceremony and Discussions
A highlight of the conclave was the felicitation of the top performers from the first batch of the Certificate Course for Accountants of Panchayats and Municipal Bodies. A total of 84 students successfully completed the course. The event also featured insightful discussions on financial reporting, management, auditing in local self-governments, and the role of digital tools in enhancing transparency and accountability. Approximately 400 participants from across the country attended the conclave.
Certificate Course
On August 9, 2023, ICAI signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Office of the CAG to launch the Certificate Course for Accountants of Panchayats and Municipal Bodies on Audit Diwas (November 16, 2023). Organized by the BLoAC under ICAI’s Accounting Research Foundation (ICAI ARF), the course aims to make trained accounting personnel readily available at local government levels, even in remote areas.
The course is structured across four levels to address the complexities of local government operations. Open to individuals aged 18 and above with a 12th-grade qualification, it has a nominal fee of ₹590 and is accessible online in 11 languages, including Hindi, English, Marathi, Tamil, Odiya, Gujarati, Punjabi, Assamese, Bengali, Kannada, and Telugu. The study materials include e-books, pre-recorded lectures, and model test papers, with live virtual classes arranged for the main exam.
The certification process comprises two offline examinations—a screening exam and a main exam. Candidates must score a minimum of 50% in both exams to be eligible for certification.
For more details, visit https://lba.icaiarf.org.in.
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