11th ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting-Plus in Lao PDR

• Defence Minister Rajnath Singh addressed the 11th ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting-Plus forum at Vientiane, Lao PDR on November 21.
• With the world increasingly getting polarised into blocks and camps, leading to increasing strain on the established world order, it is time that the Buddhist doctrines of peaceful co-existence are embraced more closely by all, he said. 
• Laos hosted the meeting in its capacity as the current chair of ADMM-Plus.

ADMM-Plus

• ADMM-Plus is a platform comprising 10-nation ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) and its eight dialogue partners — India, China, Australia, Japan, New Zealand, South Korea, Russia and the United States (collectively referred to as the “Plus Countries”).
• It aims to strengthen security and defence cooperation for peace, stability, and development in the region.
• The inaugural ADMM-Plus was convened in Hanoi in Vietnam in October 2010.
• Since 2017, the ADMM-Plus meets annually, to allow enhanced dialogue and cooperation among ASEAN and the Plus Countries in the midst of an increasingly challenging regional security environment.

The objectives of the ADMM-Plus are:

• i) To benefit ASEAN Member States in building capacity to address shared security challenges, while cognisant of the differing capacities of various ASEAN Member States.
• ii) To promote mutual trust and confidence between defence establishments through greater dialogue and transparency.
• iii) To enhance regional peace and stability through cooperation in defence and security, in view of the transnational security challenges the region faces.
• iv) To contribute to the realisation of an ASEAN security community which, as stipulated in the Bali Concord II, embodies ASEAN’s aspiration to achieve peace, stability, democracy and prosperity in the region where ASEAN Member States live at peace with one another and with the world at large.
• v) To facilitate the implementation of the Vientiane Action Programme, which calls for ASEAN to build a peaceful, secure and prosperous ASEAN, and to adopt greater outward-looking external relation strategies with our friends and Dialogue Partners.

What is ASEAN?

• The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) was established on August 8, 1967 in Bangkok by five countries —  Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, and Thailand.
• There are currently 10 member states: Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Brunei, Laos, Myanmar, Cambodia and Vietnam.
• In November 2022, ASEAN announced that it has agreed in principle to admit East Timor, also known as Timor-Leste, as the group’s 11th member. The half-island nation will also be granted observer status at high-level ASEAN meetings.
• The ASEAN Summit is the highest policy-making body in ASEAN comprising the heads of State or government of ASEAN member states. As per regular practice, the ASEAN Summit Meetings shall be held twice annually. The first ASEAN Summit was held in Bali, Indonesia on February 23-24, 1976.
• ASEAN is considered one of the most influential groupings in the region. India and several other countries, including the US, China, Japan and Australia, are its dialogue partners.

Armenia Becomes Part of ISA as 104th full member

• Armenia has become the 104th full member of the International Solar Alliance (ISA).

International Solar Alliance

• International Solar Alliance (ISA) is an inter-governmental treaty-based organisation with a global mandate to catalyse solar growth by helping to reduce the cost of financing and technology.
• The ISA was jointly launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and French President Francois Hollande on November 30, 2015, in Paris on the sidelines of the 21st Conference of Parties (COP21) to the UNFCCC.
• The ISA Framework Agreement was opened for signature on November 15, 2016, in Marrakech, Morocco, on the sidelines of COP22.
• With the signing and ratification of the ISA Framework Agreement by 15 countries on December 6, 2017, ISA became the first international inter-governmental organisation to be headquartered in India.  

 On March 11, 2018, Modi and French President Emmanuel Macron co-hosted the founding conference of the International Solar Alliance (ISA).

• Membership is open to those solar resource-rich states that lie fully or partially between the Tropic of Cancer and the Tropic of Capricorn, and are members of the UN.
• ISA was conceived as a coalition of solar-resource-rich countries (which lie either completely or partly between the Tropic of Cancer and the Tropic of Capricorn) to address their special energy needs. 
• The vision and mission of the ISA is to provide a dedicated platform for cooperation among solar-resource-rich countries, through which the global community, including governments, bilateral and multilateral organisations, corporates, industry, and other stakeholders, can contribute to help achieve the common goal of increasing the use and quality of solar energy in meeting energy needs of prospective ISA member countries in a safe, convenient, affordable, equitable and sustainable manner.
• At present, 120 countries are signatories to the ISA Framework Agreement, of which 100 countries have submitted the necessary instruments of ratification to become full members of the ISA.
• ISA has been positioned to help create the conditions that would make funding, developing and deploying solar applications on a large scale a reality. 
• ISA is now perceived as key to achieving the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals and objectives of the Paris Agreement on Climate Change.
• ISA is partnering with multilateral development banks (MDBs), development financial institutions (DFIs), private and public sector organisations, civil society, and other international institutions to deploy cost-effective and transformational solutions through solar energy, especially in the least Developed Countries (LDCs) and the Small Island Developing States (SIDS).

Objectives of ISA:

•  To address obstacles that stand in the way of rapid and massive scale-up of solar energy.
• To undertake innovative and concerted efforts for reducing the cost of finance and cost of technology for immediate deployment of competitive solar generation.
• To mobilise more than $1,000 billion of investments by 2030. 
• Reduce the cost of finance to increase investments in solar energy in member countries by promoting innovative financial mechanisms and mobilising finance from institutions.
• Scale up applications of solar technologies in member countries.
• Facilitate collaborative research and development (R&D) activities in solar energy technologies among member countries.
• Promote a common cyber platform for networking, cooperation and exchange of ideas among member countries.

Assembly of the ISA

• The Assembly of the ISA is the apex decision-making body which deliberates on critical matters like ISA objectives, its functioning, approval of operating budget, assessment of the implementation of various initiatives, programmes and activities of ISA and others. 
• The First Assembly of the ISA, held on October 3, 2018, adopted the amendment to the Framework Agreement to expand the scope of ISA membership to all member countries of the United Nations.
• The Assembly meets annually at the ministerial level at the ISA’s seat.

 COP29 – Climate Negotiations and Financial Challenges

• The 29th Conference of Parties (COP29) in Baku has brought into light important challenges in climate negotiations, particularly surrounding adaptation and finance. The focus has been on the Global Goal on Adaptation (GGA) and the New Collective Quantified Goal (NCQG).
•  These discussions have become increasingly procedural, with contention primarily over financial commitments and support mechanisms for developing nations.

Global Goal on Adaptation

• The GGA aims to enhance adaptive capacity among vulnerable nations. However, negotiations have stagnated due to disagreements over financial provisions. Developing nations seek clarity on the means of implementation, including funding, technology transfer, and capacity building. The GGA’s effectiveness hinges on substantial financial commitments from developed countries.

National Adaptation Plans

• National Adaptation Plans (NAPs) are crucial for countries to strategise their adaptation efforts. Many developing nations, like those in the African Group, have outlined important financial needs for their NAPs. The lack of a clear financial target has left many nations in a precarious position, unable to execute their plans effectively.

Financial Commitments

• The call for a $1.3 trillion annual climate finance target has emerged, surpassing the previous $100 billion commitment made in 2009. This amount is essential for developing nations to address climate impacts. However, developed nations have been slow to engage with specific financial targets, leading to frustration among developing countries.

Innovative Financing Solutions

• Over 80 countries have proposed innovative financing mechanisms to mobilise the required funds. Suggestions include redirecting fossil fuel subsidies to climate action. This approach aims to create new public resources while addressing existing financial obligations.

Upcoming Negotiations

• The COP29 discussions are set to continue at the Subsidiary Bodies conference in Bonn in June 2025. Progress on procedural matters, particularly concerning financial language, will be essential. The next steps will determine the effectiveness of adaptation strategies and the overall success of climate negotiations.

Early Warning Systems

• A important development at COP29 was the focus on early warning systems for climate adaptation. These systems are vital for countries facing extreme weather events. Enhancements in observational networks and community-centric approaches were discussed, denoting the need for adequate funding to implement these systems effectively.

Future of Climate Negotiations

• As the world looks towards future conferences, the urgency of addressing climate finance and adaptation remains paramount. The upcoming meeting in Busan for the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee on plastic pollution will also draw attention to global environmental challenges. The outcomes of these negotiations will shape international climate policy moving forward.

Govt launches Bhu-Neer portal

•  In a bid to improve groundwater management, the government launched the Bhu-Neer portal, a centralised platform for managing groundwater withdrawal permits.
• The portal was launched during the concluding ceremony of India Water Week 2024.
• Digitally unveiled by Union Jal Shakti Minister C.R. Patil, the platform aims to enhance transparency, efficiency and sustainability in groundwater usage across the country.
•  This portal will serve as a one-stop platform for managing and regulating groundwater resources, aimed at ensuring transparency, efficiency, and sustainability in groundwater usage.
• Developed by the Central Ground Water Authority (CGWA) in collaboration with the National Informatics Centre (NIC), it replaces the older NOCAP system with advanced features designed to simplify the permit process and ensure seamless compliance with groundwater regulations.
• Its centralised database will allow users to access critical information on groundwater compliance, policies, and sustainable practices.
• The key innovations in the portal include a PAN-based single ID system, a user-friendly interface and QR-coded No Objection Certificates (NOCs), making the process entirely digital and faceless.
• The portal provides comprehensive details on groundwater policies, legal frameworks and sustainable practices, serving as a vital resource for project proponents and stakeholders.
• Businesses and individuals seeking groundwater withdrawal permits can use it to track application statuses, make payments and access guidance on compliance.

Guyana, Dominica confer national awards on PM Modi

• Guyana and Dominica have conferred their top awards on Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his contributions during the COVID-19 pandemic and his exceptional contributions to the global community and efforts in strengthening bilateral ties with the two Caribbean nations.

• The Prime Minister was conferred ‘The Order of Excellence’ by Guyanese President Irfaan Ali on November 20. 

• Modi is the fourth foreign leader to be conferred with the highest National award of Guyana.

• Modi was honoured for his visionary statesmanship, for championing the rights of developing countries on the global stage, for exceptional service to the global community and for his commitment to strengthening India-Guyana relations.

• Modi dedicated the honour to the people of India and the deep-rooted historical ties between the people of the two countries. 

Order of Excellence of Guyana 

• The Order of Excellence was established in 1969, soon after Guyana gained independence from the United Kingdom in 1966.

• It is the highest national honor conferred by the Republic of Guyana.

• It is awarded to individuals who have made significant contributions to the nation or to humanity.

• The Order of Excellence is the highest distinction in Guyana, and it ranks above other national orders such as the Order of Roraima and the Order of the Red Cross.

Eligibility:

• The award is given to individuals who have shown extraordinary achievements in the fields of public service, nation-building, humanitarian efforts, or international relations.

• The recipients can be both Guyanese nationals and foreign dignitaries who have made exceptional contributions to Guyana or global progress.

Dominica’s highest National Award

• Earlier in the day, PM Modi was conferred the ‘Dominica Award of Honour’ by President Sylvanie Burton of Dominica on the sidelines of the India-CARICOM Summit.

• Dominica announced its top award to Modi a few days ago.

• Dominica’s Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit said the award is an expression of Dominica’s gratitude for Modi''s solidarity with Dominica and the wider region.

• It also recognises India’s support for Dominica in healthcare, education and information technology under Modi’s leadership and his role in promoting climate resilience-building initiatives and sustainable development on a global level.

Other global awards conferred on PM Modi

• Prime Minister Modi has been honoured by countries across the world. 

• Last week, Nigeria conferred its national award — the Grand Commander of the Order of the Niger — on PM Modi for his statesmanship and stellar contribution to fostering bilateral ties.

• In March 2024, PM Modi received Bhutan’s highest civilian award, the ‘Order of the Druk Gyalpo’, making him the first foreign Head of the government to receive the honour.

• In August 2023, PM Modi was conferred with the ‘Grand Cross of the Order of Honour’ by Greek President Katerina. The Order of Honour was established in 1975. The head of goddess Athena is depicted on the front side of the Star. 

• In July 2023, during his visit to Paris, Modi was conferred with the highest honour of France, the ‘Grand Cross of the Legion of Honour’, by French President Emmanuel Macron.

• In June 2023, Modi was conferred with the ‘Order of the Nile'', Egypt’s highest honour, by President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi.

• In May 2023, Governor-General of Papua New Guinea conferred the ‘Companion of the Order of Logohu’ to PM Modi for championing the cause of unity of Pacific Island countries and spearheading the cause of Global South. The recipients of the award are titled “Chief”.

• Fiji’s Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka also conferred the country’s highest award to Modi. ‘Companion of the Order of Fiji’ in recognition of his global leadership. Only a handful of non-Fijians have received this honour.

• In December 2020, PM Modi received the ‘Legion of Merit’ by the US government that is given for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services and achievements.

• In August 2019, Abu Dhabi crown prince Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan honoured Modi with the ‘Order of Zayed’, the UAE’s highest civilian award, in recognition of his pivotal role in building the strategic relationship between the two countries.

• In August 2019, PM Modi was conferred the prestigious ‘The King Hamad Order of the Renaissance’, the highest honour of Bahrain.

• In June 2019, PM Modi was conferred with the Maldives’ highest honour ‘Order of the Distinguished Rule of Nishan Izzuddin’. 

• In April 2019, Russia conferred its highest civilian award, the ‘Order of the Holy Apostle Andrew the First’, on Modi for his work on bilateral ties. ‘The Order of the Holy Apostle Andrew the First’ is awarded to prominent government and public figures, prominent representatives of science, culture, art and various sectors of the economy for “exceptional services that contribute to the prosperity, greatness and glory of Russia”.

• In February 2019, Modi was conferred the prestigious Seoul Peace Prize for 2018 for his contribution to international cooperation and fostering global economic growth. The Seoul Peace Prize was established in 1990 to commemorate the success of the 24th Olympic Games held in Seoul.

• In January 2019, Modi received the first-ever Philip Kotler Presidential award for his “outstanding leadership for the nation”. Philip Kotler is a professor of marketing at Northwestern University, Kellogg School of Management.

• In October 2018, Modi received the Champions of the Earth award from UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres. The Award was for Modi’s efforts to ‘Beat Plastic Pollution’ - including an ambitious pledge to eliminate all single-use plastic in the country by 2022. Launched in 2005, Champions of the Earth celebrates outstanding figures from the public and private sectors and from civil society whose actions have had a transformative positive impact on the environment.

• In February 2018, Modi was conferred the ‘Grand Collar of the State of Palestine’ by President Mahmoud Abbas, recognising his key contribution to promote relations between India and Palestine. The Grand Collar is Highest order given to foreign dignitaries — Kings, Heads of State and persons of similar rank.

• In June 2016, Modi was conferred with Amir Amanullah Khan Award, Afghanistan’s highest civilian honour by President Ashraf Ghani after the inauguration of the landmark Afghan-India Friendship Dam in Herat. The award is named after the Afghan national hero, Amanullah Khan (Ghazi), who championed the cause of Afghanistan’s freedom.

• In April 2016, Saudi Arabia conferred Modi with its highest civilian honour - The Order of Abdulaziz Al Saud. The award is named after Abdulaziz Al Saud, the founder of the modern Saudi state.

PM Modi participates in 2nd India-CARICOM Summit

• Prime Minister Narendra Modi has proposed seven key pillars to strengthen ties between India and the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), asserting that New Delhi is totally committed to taking these relations to new heights.
• PM Modi made the remarks on November 20 as he joined leaders from the Caribbean partner countries for the second India-Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Summit in Guyana’s Georgetown.
• Leaders at the summit discussed ways to strengthen ties in areas such as economic cooperation, agriculture and food security, health and pharmaceuticals, and science and innovations.
• During the summit, Prime Minister Modi proposed seven key pillars to strengthen ties between India and CARICOM.
• The seven pillars listed by Modi also form the acronym C-A-R-I-C-O M. 

They are:

• • Capacity Building
• • Agriculture and Food Security
• • Renewable Energy and Climate Change
• • Innovation, Technology and Trade
• • Cricket and Culture
• • Ocean Economy
• • Medicine and Healthcare.
• CARICOM Heads of government and PM Modi last met in 2019 on the margins of the 74th Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), where they discussed cooperation modalities in renewable energy and climate change through a $150 million credit line from India.

Caribbean Community (CARICOM)

 In 1972, Commonwealth Caribbean leaders at the 7th Heads of Government Conference decided to transform the Caribbean Free Trade Association (CARIFTA) into a Common Market and establish the Caribbean Community, of which the Common Market would be an integral part.

• On July 4, 1973, they signed the Treaty of Chaguaramas in Trinidad & Tobago establishing the Caribbean Community (CARICOM).
• CARICOM comprises 15 Member States and six Associate Members, mostly island states in the Caribbean.
• While these states are all relatively small, both in terms of population and size, there is also  great diversity with regards to geography and population as well as  the levels of economic and social development.
• It is home to approximately 16 million citizens, and from the main ethnic groups of Indigenous Peoples, Africans, Indians, Europeans, Chinese, Portuguese and Javanese. 
• Stretching from The Bahamas in the north to Suriname and Guyana in South America, CARICOM comprises states that are considered developing countries, and except for Belize, in Central America and Guyana and Suriname in South America, all members and associate members are island states.

Members of CARICOM

• CARICOM has 15 members:
• Antigua and Barbuda, Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Dominica, Grenada, Guyana, Haiti, Jamaica, Montserrat, St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Lucia, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Suriname and Trinidad & Tobago. 
• Of the 15, all except Montserrat are nation States. Montserrat is a British Overseas Territory in the Caribbean.
• Stretching from the Bahamas in the north to Suriname and Guyana in South America, CARICOM comprises states that are considered developing countries.
• Anguilla, Bermuda, British Virgin Islands, Cayman Islands, Curacao and Turks & Caicos Islands are Associate Members of the Community. 
• While these states are all relatively small, both in terms of population and size, there is also great diversity with regards to geography and population as well as the levels of economic and social development.
• Except for Belize, in Central America and Guyana and Suriname in South America, all members and associate members are island states.
• CARICOM is the oldest existing integration movement in the developing world. 
• • The chairmanship of the Community is rotated every six months among the member countries’ Heads.
• • The CARICOM Secretariat in Georgetown, Guyana is the principal administrative organ of the Community.

The objectives of the Community are: 

• To improve standards of living and work.
• Full employment of labour and other factors of production.
• Accelerated, coordinated and sustained economic development and convergence.
• Expansion of trade and economic relations with third States.
• Enhanced levels of international competitiveness.
• Organisation for increased production and productivity.
• Achievement of a greater measure of economic leverage.
• Enhanced coordination of Member States’ foreign and foreign economic policies and enhanced functional cooperation.

CARICOM Single Market and Economy

• Between 1993 and 2000, the Inter-Governmental Task Force (IGTF) which was composed of representatives of all Member States, produced nine Protocols, for the purpose of amending the Treaty. These nine Protocols were later combined to create a new version of the Treaty, called formally, ‘The Revised Treaty of Chaguaramas’ heralding the establishment of the CARICOM Single Market and Economy.
• The CARICOM Single Market and Economy is intended to benefit the people of the region by providing more and better opportunities to produce and sell goods and services and to attract investment. It will create one large market among the participating Member States.

India-CARICOM relations

• • India’s political engagement with CARICOM as a group started with the visit of a delegation led by K.D. Knight, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade of Jamaica and the then chairman of the Community Council, to India in November 2003, during which an agreement was signed for establishing a Standing Joint Commission on Consultation, Cooperation and Coordination. 
• Later in February 2005, India was invited as a special guest to the CARICOM Summit in Paramaribo. Subsequently, India-CARICOM Economic Forum was held in August 2005 in Port of Spain led by the then Minister of State for Commerce and Industry. 
• On the occasion, a project for computerisation of the CARICOM Secretariat valued at $1.3 million, funded by India, was completed and handed over to the CARICOM Secretariat. 
• Upgradation of ICT system of CARICOM Secretariat with government of India grant of $2.4 million was completed thereafter. India has since been extending capacity building and developmental assistance to CARICOM countries in several areas.
• India’s historic and warm relations with the countries of the Caribbean witnessed a new momentum with the meeting of PM Modi with 14 leaders of the CARICOM countries on the UNGA sidelines on September 25, 2019 in New York, during which PM Modi announced $14 million Grant for Community Development Projects (CDP) in the CARICOM (1 million for each country) and another 150 million Line of Credit for projects related to Solar, Renewable Energy and Climate Change.
• India and CARICOM share common positions on many global issues and coordinate closely in multilateral fora.
• The presence of a large Indian diaspora in the region and traditionally close relations of most member countries of CARICOM with India is an important factor.

Rinderpest Outbreak in Mudumalai Sanctuary

•  In 1968, the Mudumalai Wildlife Sanctuary in Tamil Nadu faced a devastating rinderpest outbreak. This highly contagious viral disease, also known as cattle plague, impacted the sanctuary’s wildlife, particularly the gaur population.
• The outbreak brought into light the vulnerabilities in wildlife management and the need for better disease control measures

 Details on Rinderpest:

• Rinderpest primarily affects cattle, buffaloes, and some wild ruminants. It spreads through direct contact with infected animals or contaminated environments. Symptoms include high fever, nasal discharge, and diarrhoea. The disease has a history of cyclical outbreaks, causing severe mortality among livestock
• The India Cattle Plague Commission was established in 1869 to combat rinderpest. By the early 20th century, mortality rates were alarming. For example, over 150,000 cattle died between 1908 and 1909. Compulsory inoculation began in 1929, leading to important progress in controlling the disease among domestic cattle.

Impact on Wildlife

• The 1968 outbreak in Mudumalai severely affected the gaur population. By mid-August, over 100 buffaloes and at least 40 gaurs had died. Wild herbivores lacked the protection afforded to domestic animals due to insufficient vaccination efforts. This led to a decline in the ecosystem’s balance.

Ecological Consequences

• Gaurs play important role in maintaining the forest’s vegetation. Their decline resulted in overgrowth of certain plants, disrupting the food chain. Smaller herbivores and predators that depended on gaurs for food were also affected. The outbreak showcased the interconnectedness of species within the ecosystem.

Response

• Wildlife officers attempted to contain the outbreak by disposing of carcasses to prevent further contamination. However, their efforts were hampered by a lack of resources and scientific knowledge. The outbreak exposed weaknesses in India’s wildlife management policies, denoting the need for better infrastructure and preparedness.

Way Forward

• Naturalists like M. Krishnan stressed the importance of managing wildlife habitats. He advocated for banning domestic cattle from protected areas to prevent disease transmission. His concerns were validated by the rinderpest outbreak, underscoring the need for stricter controls on livestock in wildlife sanctuaries.
• The Mudumalai outbreak served as a wake-up call for wildlife management in India. It brought into light the urgent need for organised responses to epidemics and better integration of veterinary care for wild species. Stronger boundaries between domestic and wild populations are essential to protect wildlife from diseases.

Sanjay Murthy assumes office as CAG

• K. Sanjay Murthy was sworn in as the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) of India by President Droupadi Murmu at a function in the Rashtrapati Bhavan on November 21.
• He belongs to Indian Administrative Service of Himachal Pradesh cadre, 1989 batch.
• Murthy succeeds Girish Chandra Murmu, who demitted office on November 20.
• Prior to this, Murthy was Secretary, Department of Higher Education in the Ministry of Education. He has also served as Additional Secretary in the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs, and CEO, National Industrial Corridor Development Corporation, and Joint Secretary in the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting.
• Before his tenure at the Centre, Murthy served on important assignments in the state government of Himachal Pradesh. He has wide experience in administrative, social, economic, and infrastructure fields. 
• Earlier this week, President Murmu appointed Sanjay Murthy as the CAG by virtue of the power vested in her by Article 148(1) of the Constitution of India.

Comptroller and Auditor General

• The Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) is the guardian or caretaker of the national purse.
• The CAG of India is appointed by the President.
• The procedure and the grounds for his removal from office are the same as for a Supreme Court judge.
• He is not eligible for further office under the Union or a state government after he ceases to hold his office.
• The accounts of the Union and of the states shall be kept in such form as the President may, on the advice of the CAG, prescribe.
• The reports of CAG relating to the accounts of the Union shall be submitted to the President, who shall cause them to be laid before each House of Parliament. The reports of the CAG relating to the accounts of a state shall be submitted to the governor of the state, who shall cause them to be laid before the legislature of the state.
• Articles 148, 149, 150 and 151 of the Constitution describe the functions and powers of CAG.

The duties and powers of CAG:

• Audits the accounts related to all expenditure from Consolidated Fund of India, consolidated Fund of each state and Union Territory having a legislative assembly.
• Audits all expenditure from the Contingency Fund of India and the Public Account of India as well as the Contingency Fund and Public Account of each state.
• Audits all trading, manufacturing, profit and loss accounts, balance sheets and other subsidiary accounts kept by any department of the central government and state governments.
• Audits the receipts and expenditure of each state and Centre to satisfy himself that the rules and procedures in that behalf are designed to secure an effective check on the assessment, collection and proper allocation of revenue.
• Audits all transactions of the central and state governments related to debt, sinking funds, deposits, advances, suspense accounts and remittance business. 
• Audits receipts, stock accounts and others, with approval of the President, or when required by the President.
• Audits the accounts of any other authority when requested by the President or governor.
• Advises the President with regard to prescription of the form in which the accounts of the Centre and the states shall be kept (Article 150).
• Submits his audit reports relating to the accounts of the Centre and state to the President and Governor respectively, who shall, in turn, place them before the state legislature (Article 151).

 Who was Harekrushna Mahtab?

• President Droupadi Murmu hailed freedom fighter and the first Chief Minister of Odisha  Harekrushna Mahtab during an event to mark his 125th birth anniversary on November 21. 
• His legacy and literary and journalistic works will continue to inspire people, the President said. A special commemorative stamp and a coin was also released on the occasion.

Who was Harekrushna Mahtab?

• Dr. Harekrushna Mahtab, also known as ‘Utkal Keshari’, was born on  November 21, 1899, in Agarpara, in the then Bengal Presidency. 
• Mahtab was a multi-faceted leader who wore many hats — freedom fighter, politician, historian, writer, social reformer and journalist.
• He was deeply influenced by eminent figures like Swami Vivekananda, Ramkrishna Paramhansa and Mahatma Gandhi. 
• Harekrushna Mahtab is remembered for his strong will, determination, and influence, earning recognition as one of Odisha’s foremost leaders.
• His political career began during his college years when he joined the freedom movement, participating actively in events such as the Non-Cooperation Movement, Salt Satyagraha, etc. 
• He was arrested multiple times for his activism and was instrumental in the integration of Odisha into the Union of India.
• Mahtab was the last Prime Minister of the princely state. 
• Harekrushna Mahatab was the first Chief Minister of Odisha (then Orissa) in independent India. He served as the Chief Minister of Odisha from April 1946 to May 1950. 
• He served as the Union Minister for Commerce and Industry and was elected to the Lok Sabha unopposed in 1962.
• He was also the Governor of Bombay. 
• On October 19, 1956, Mahatab was again sworn in as the Chief Minister of Odisha. 
• Mahtab was also a significant literary figure, writing extensively in both Odia and English and winning accolades for his work, including the historical account ‘History of Orissa’ and won the Sahitya Akademi Award in 1983 for ‘Gaon Majlis’. 
• Mahtab passed away on January 2, 1987 at the age of 87 years.