CAG should criticise only in public interest: Karunanidhi

CHENNAI - Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi Tuesday said the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) should exercise its power to criticise in the best possible manner and in public interest alone.

“You have this valuable gift of power to criticise and such unfettered power comes with equally big responsibility. It is your bounden duty to ensure that this task is carried out in the best possible manner and in public interest alone,” said Karunanidhi in a speech that was read out by Deputy Chief Minister M.K. Stalin at a function held here to commemorate 150 years of the CAG.

“To ensure that the benefits of various government schemes reach the intended public, a vigilant and unrelenting critic is also necessary - a role being played by your department. However, the criticism needs to be always fair and unbiased. It should be based only on meticulous groundwork,” Karunanidhi said.

The audit department’s anonymity coupled with its professional approach added to the credibility of the institution, he said.