Shashi Kant Sharma (Left)
The government has named Defence Secretary Shashi Kant Sharma as the new Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) of India. He will replace Vinod Rai whose term comes to an end on Thursday, May 23.
Mr Sharma's appointment to an office that has been much in the limelight recently came just days before he was to have retired. In the 40-odd years that he has been in the government, the official has not received any award or special recognition. Mr Sharma does, however, have the distinction of being described by many colleagues as "stable."
Vinod Rai, who Mr Sharma replaces, had earned the indignation, if not wrath, of the government after his many scathing audits of its functioning, most notably the reports on the 2G spectrum scam and the coal block allocation scam, which landed a dent on the UPA government's image by alleging huge loss to the exchequer and raising uncomfortable questions.
Mr Sharma has been up close to controversy, but has adroitly managed to steer clear of it. Twice he approved the purchase of AgustaWestland helicopters for VVIP use, a deal that brought the UPA government to the brink. The CBI is investigating the purchase for alleged wrongdoing and kickbacks.
Mr Sharma first cleared the purchase in 2003 as the Joint Secretary (Air Acquisition) and then again in 2010 as Director General (DG) of Defence Acquisition. But his role was never questioned even as scandal exploded around the rest of the defence ministry.
The government has kept the spotlight on former Chief of Air Staff S K Tyagi in the controversy, but the CBI is yet to even submit its initial report on how money was made in the purchase and who the beneficiary was.
The CAG is a constitutional post and therefore enjoys immunity from investigations and prosecutions. But there is every possibility of the question of conflict of interest arising when the Augusta purchase is scrutinised by the CAG soon.
A senior Defence Ministry official, who did not wish to be named, said, however, that he saw no discrepancy in Mr Sharma being appointed the CAG. "Guido Haschke (one of the key suspect being investigated by Italian authorities for his alleged role in paying kickbacks in the VVIP Helicopter deal) hasn't named anyone except Tyagi, " he explained.
For the UPA government, its auditor's reports have been nightmarish experiences in the last few years. As it preps for general elections now months away, it has clearly picked the "stable" Shashi Kant Sharma with some care.