Vice President CP Radhakrishnan today said that audit is a vital instrument for strengthening democracy and assures citizens that public money is being used for public good in accordance with law, efficiency and fairness. Speaking at the book launch of When Audit Matters: CAG Interventions That Made a Difference in New Delhi, Mr Radhakrishnan said that audit not only helps governments improve systems and correct deficiencies, but also reinforces trust between the state and the citizens.

Highlighting the importance of ethics in public life, the Vice President said that the combination of ethics and audit can be transformative, leading to improved public services, efficient utilisation of public resources, greater resilience and enhanced public trust. The Vice-President also highlighted the importance of the accountability cycle in a parliamentary democracy, beginning with legislative approval of budgets and continuing through audit and examination by Public Accounts Committees.