Defence Secy S K Sharma is new CAG

New Delhi (PTI): Defence Secretary Shashi Kant Sharma was on Tuesday appointed as the next Comptroller & Auditor General (CAG) at a time when the institution is under focus in the wake of controversies surrounding its mandate. The 61-year old 1976 Bihar cadre officer will succeed Vinod Rai, during whose tenure the CAG was locked in confrontations with government on various audit reports, like the ones on 2G spectrum and coal block allocations.

Rai superannuates on Wednesday after five-and-a half years of eventful tenure as the head of the Constitutional body. "The President of India has appointed Shashi Kant Sharma, IAS, as the Comptroller & Auditor General of India, in terms of Article 148 (1) of the Constitution of India," the Finance Ministry said in a statement. Sharma, who holds a Masters degree in Political Science from the University of York, will take charge as Comptroller & Auditor General on May 23. He will be administered the oath of office by President Pranab Mukherjee on Thursday. Like Vinod Rai, Sharma too has served as Secretary in the Department of Financial Services. He has spent over 10 years in the Defence Ministry in various capacities.