Some areas the Code of Conduct Bill should be strengthened to capture its fullest intent - Nand

The Auditor General Ajay Nand feels that some areas of the Code of Conduct Bill should be strengthened to capture its fullest intent which is to promote accountability and transparency in public institutions.

Nand highlighted this at the Standing Committee on Justice, Law and Human Rights while making their submissions on the Code of Conduct Bill.     

He says for the Auditor General’s Office, there needs to be clarity if they discover or detect a breach of the Code of Conduct Bill during their audits.

He says questions will be raised if they should report this breach to the Accountability and Transparency Commission that is also in the Bill or the entity which they are auditing.

Nand says they have submitted some guidance in the law that will assist them in deciding what to do if they detect a breach of the Code of Conduct Bill.

The Auditor General also raised questions on how complaints to the Commission that can be politically bias.

Nand says people that hold senior positions in the entities that receive some sort of funding from government should be included in the Bill.

The Auditor General also highlighted to their understanding, the Code of Conduct Bill does not cover if a complaint is dismissed, can the complainant appeal the decision.