iCAL is therefore designed as a collaborative platform that brings together policy makers, administrators and auditors of local governments.

This centre aims to work with elected representatives, senior officials and auditors of local governments across India, as well as Supreme Audit Institutions (SAIs) and subordinate audit organisations from across the world to improve accountability and governance at the grassroots level, the CAG said.

“As part of our Technical Guidance and Support (TGS) activities, we will pay particular attention to capacity building of local authority auditors to help improve financial performance assessment, service delivery and data reporting,” he said.

Noting that capacity building remains the main objective, Murmu said iCAL will empower auditors, senior managers and elected representatives of local governments through training and leadership development initiatives.

There are about 250,000 panchayats and 7,000 municipal corporations in the country.

These programs would provide participants with essential knowledge, skills and tools needed to navigate the complexities of local governance and public administration, address new challenges and promote ethical decision-making for good governance and sustainable outcomes, he said.

“Our efforts are inspired and supported by the principles enshrined in the 73rd and 74th Constitutional Amendments, which usher in a new era of decentralization of local government,” he said.

These amendments to the law gave extensive authority and responsibility to the panchayats and municipalities, ensuring their active participation in the planning and implementation of socio-economic development strategies and programmes.

They highlighted and stressed the importance of local self-government, accountability and the involvement of local communities in decision-making processes.

“We want to do our part to advance this vision. Since local governments operate at the grassroots level, they are closest to citizens and must reflect their aspirations. We want to address local governance issues at both the national and global levels,” he said.

As a member of INTOSAI, the global community of supreme audit institutions, Murmu said: “We are committed to strengthening the fundamental level of government: local governments.”

Inspired by INTOSAI's mission, vision and values, iCAL aims to create an environment for the exchange of invaluable experiences, expertise and best practices in the audit of local governments, he said.

“Experience sharing is therefore a cornerstone of our approach. iCAL will host interactive workshops, knowledge-sharing sessions and peer-to-peer exchanges so that participants can learn from the different experiences and challenges of different regions,” he said.

This will enrich the collective expertise of auditors and managers, promote intercultural understanding and improve governance practices at the local level.

This collaborative environment encourages the exploration of new approaches to tackling new challenges and increases the transparency, accountability and efficiency of local government, he said.

In collaboration with other SAIs and international bodies, Murmu said, “we will explore standards for auditing local authorities by engaging with experts, practitioners and stakeholders around the world.”

These standards would define the best practices, methodologies and principles for conducting audits at the local level and serve as a benchmark for quality and integrity, he added.