Seminar

CAG-ICSSR Colloquium on State of the Finances of Bihar and Ayushman Bharat-Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana

Venue: A.N. Sinha Institute of Social Studies, North West Gandhi Maidan, Patna, Bihar

Date: 18 August, 2026

The inaugural session reaffirmed the shared vision of the Comptroller and Auditor General of India and ICSSR to strengthen evidence-based policymaking through sustained collaboration between constitutional institutions, universities and the research community. Speakers encouraged scholars to leverage CAG's audit reports and public finance data to generate impactful policy research.

Prof. Dhananjay Singh, Member Secretary, ICSSR, underscored the importance of public policy and social development, highlighting Bihar’s rich intellectual legacy and the immense value of authentic CAG audit data for researchers. He called upon young scholars to leverage ICSSR initiatives such as the Yuva Shodh Prathibha Scheme and stressed that research is a social commitment.

Dr. Sandeep Roy, PAG (Audit), Bihar, highlighted the rigorous processes of audit, scrutiny and review undertaken by CAG to strengthen high quality governance. He emphasised that such CAG–ICSSR platforms play a very crucial role in creating informed and aware citizens.

Shri Piyush Kumar Rai, IA&AS, presented key insights into Bihar’s fiscal landscape, highlighting rapid economic growth alongside concerns relating to fiscal deficit, central transfers and budget utilisation. He emphasised the need to strengthen own revenues, improve expenditure management and enhance budget implementation.

Prof. Prachi Mishra, Dean, Ashoka University, highlighted Bihar’s fiscal challenges, including weak own-tax revenues, committed expenditure and limited productive investment. Drawing lessons from Odisha, she emphasised stronger revenue mobilisation, fiscal discipline, productive investment and improved debt management.

On AB-PMJAY, Shri R.P. George, IA&AS, highlighted the critical importance of beneficiary identification, registration, hospital utilisation, claims and contract management, while stressing the need for stronger implementation and outcomes. Dr. Sudhanshu Kumar, OSD (Policy), Bihar Lok Bhavan & Associate Professor, BIPFP, emphasised the role of robust IT infrastructure, effective beneficiary verification and improved utilisation of funds for strengthening the scheme in Bihar.

Shri Santosh Kumar, IA&AS, PAG (A&E), highlighted the CAG Research Article Competition as an important initiative to nurture research aptitude among young scholars and encouraged participants to contribute to evidence-based research.

The Bihar Chapter provided a vital platform for bridging audit evidence, academic expertise and public policy, fostering informed dialogue on Bihar’s fiscal sustainability, health governance and development priorities. The Colloquium strengthen the culture of evidence-based policymaking and reinforced the shared commitment of CAG and ICSSR towards accountable, inclusive and effective governance for Bihar’s development.

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