Governor emphasizes role of audit institutions in strengthening democratic governance

SHIMLA 21 November, 2025

Governor Shiv Pratap Shukla said the credibility of governance rests significantly on the diligence and impartiality of accounting and audit professionals. He emphasized that their vigilance transforms policies into results, ultimately benefiting the citizens who place trust in the State through their tax contributions.

He was addressing the inaugural ceremony of “Audit Week 2025” organized here today by the offices of the Comptroller and Auditor General (C&AG) of India on the theme “A Collaborative Commitment Towards Good Governance and Financial Prudence.”

While congratulating officers and staff of the Indian Audit & Accounts department, the Governor described the institution of the C&AG as an indispensable pillar of democracy, upholding principles of accountability, transparency, and good governance. He said the institution ensures that public resources are not merely spent lawfully, but also directed toward public welfare. This, he noted, reinforces the foundation of trust between the State and its citizens.

Shri Shukla stressed that Audit Week serves not merely as a formal event, but as a moment of introspection on constitutional responsibilities. He said that the C&AG acts as a watchdog of financial accountability, ensuring honesty, transparency and public interest in every expenditure of public funds. The technical sessions, deliberations, and formal events under Audit Week, he said, provide both a review of past efforts and a pathway to strengthen audit methodologies for the future.

Appreciating the department’s contribution towards financial transparency in Himachal Pradesh, the Governor said that careful documentation, fact-based reports, and informed recommendations support better decision-making and facilitate good governance. He added that in a mountainous state like Himachal, where infrastructure, remote service delivery, environmental risks, and natural disasters pose complex challenges, audit interventions become even more crucial to ensure tangible delivery of public schemes and projects at the grassroots level.