Deepak Das becomes new Controller General of Accounts (CGA)

• Deepak Das, a 1986-batch Indian Civil Accounts Service (ICAS) officer, is appointed as the Controller General of Accounts (CGA), Dept. of Expenditure, Ministry of Finance, with effect from August 1, 2021.
• Das is the 25th officer to hold the position of CGA.
• During his 35 years long career, he has held important positions at different levels in ministries such as Science & Technology, Environment, Dept. for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade etc.

Controller General of Accounts (CGA):

• The Annual Appropriation Accounts (Civil) and Union Finance Accounts are submitted to Parliament under Article 150 of the Constitution.
• Controller General of Accounts derives his mandate from Article 150 of the Constitution.
• Office of CGA prepares monthly and annual analysis of expenditure, revenues, borrowings and various fiscal indicators for the Union Government.

Statutory Mandate of CGA:

• The statutory mandate ( as per Allocation of Business Rules 1961) are:

1. General principles of Government accounting relating to Union or State Governments and form of accounts.
2. Reconciliation of cash balance of Union Government with Reserve Bank.
3. Overseeing maintenance of adequate standards of accounting by Central Civil Accounts Offices
4. Consolidation of monthly accounts, preparation of review of trends of revenue realization and significant features of expenditure etc
5. Administration of Central Treasury Rules and Central Government Account (Receipt and Payment Rules 1983)
6. Coordination and assistance in the introduction of management accounting system in Civil Ministries or Departments;
7. Cadre management of Group ‘A’ (Indian Civil Accounts Service) and Group ‘B’ Officers of the Central Civil Accounts Offices;
8. Disbursement of Pension through Public Sector Banks (PSBs) in respect of Central Civil Pensioners, Freedom Fighters, High Court Judges, Ex-M.P.s and Ex-Presidents.

Role of CGA:

1. Principal Advisor on Accounting matters to the Union Government.
2. Responsible for establishing and managing a technically sound Management Accounting System.
3. Responsible for preparation and submission of the accounts of the Union Government.
4. Responsible for exchequer control and internal audits.