President Pranab Mukherjee today cautioned that attempts by any organ of the state to overreach will unnecessarily lead to dissonance within the system. He said it is necessary that all constitutional authorities introspect on their respective roles.

Inaugurating the 26th Conference of Accountants General in New Delhi, Mr Mukherjee called upon all the constitutional authorities to adhere to the fine and calibrated system of checks and balances which forms the bedrock of governance structures.

Mr Mukherjee lauded the role of the Comptroller and Auditor General, CAG in helping governments and local bodies in building up and enhancing skills in financial management. He expressed happiness that during the past years, CAG's audit has shifted from routine compliance audit to a more macro perspective. Mr Mukherjee said, use of public money must improve the living conditions of the people. All public servants in this country are first and foremost accountable to people. He stressed the need for a robust internal control system in all spheres of government activities.

Speaking on the occasion, CAG Mr. Vinod Rai said that all institutions today, including CAG, are in the public eye, so it is imperative to make them more responsive to these changes. He said, the phenomenal expansion of media and the right to information available to the people, demand a new accountability paradigm in the country.

Mr Jagdambika Pal, Chairman of the Committee on Public Undertakings, Mr Murli Manohar Joshi, Chairman of the Public Accounts Committee also spoke.