In a significant administrative development, the President of India has appointed K Sanjay Murthy as the new Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) of India, two days ahead of the completion of Girish Chandra Murmu’s tenure. Murthy, a 1989-batch IAS officer from the Himachal Pradesh cadre, will assume office on November 21, 2024, succeeding the outgoing Murmu.
Currently serving as Secretary in the Department of Higher Education under the Ministry of Education, Murthy was set to retire on December 31, 2024. He has been holding the post since October 1, 2021. His tenure as the Higher Education Secretary has been marred by paper leak incidents.
In a notification, Ministry of Finance said, “By virtue of the power vested in her by clause (1) of article 148 of the Constitution of India, the President has been pleased to appoint Shri K. Sanjay Murthy to be the Comptroller and Auditor General of India with effect from the date he assumes charge of his office.”
His appointment to the prestigious post of CAG marks a pivotal moment in his distinguished career. As Secretary of the Department of Higher Education, Murthy played a crucial role in shaping policies related to higher education, driving government initiatives, and fostering collaborations with educational institutions across the country.
Murthy’s elevation to the CAG post also results in a vacancy in the position of Secretary in the Department of Higher Education, in addition to the already vacant Secretary posts in the Ministry of Culture, the Department of Public Enterprises (DPE), and the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT).
Girish Chandra Murmu, who has held the position of CAG since August 8, 2020, is credited with overseeing several key audits, including the assessment of flagship government programs such as the Bharatmala project, a national highway development initiative, and the Pradhan Mantri Jan Aarogya Yojana (PMJAY), a major healthcare scheme. Murmu’s tenure was marked by significant audit reports that shaped government policy and financial oversight.
Murthy’s appointment is expected to bring fresh leadership and expertise to the CAG office, continuing the vital role of auditing and overseeing government expenditure and public accounts in India.
