Ex-CAG chief Vinod Rai thinks it's okay for babus to make private trips on taxpayer money

Former Comptroller and Auditor General chief and current head of Banks Board Bureau, Vinod Rai on 16 August defended government officials who go on private trips at the expense of the taxpayer.

In one of the most controversial statements made by a government official, Rai said 'so what' while talking about the common practice of civil servants to use government funds for private trips.

"So what! I mean, really so what. ... What other facility or perk does a government give me?" Hindustan Times quoted Rai as saying.

"I mean a colleague's daughter was getting married and I can't afford to buy an airline ticket... certainly not when I was in the job... I created a duty and went there, attended the wedding also incidentally and came back and you are wasting your time looking at my travel allowance bill," he added in a bid to clarify.

According to Hindustan Times, Rai was talking about the issue to make a point that these smaller transgressions must be overlooked and vigilance officials should instead focus on major issues.

According to the reports, Rai has been one of the most appreciated CAG chiefs. It was under his tutelage that the CAG was able to unravel the 2G and coal scams.