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2008 Assessment

Georgia: Integrity Indicators Scorecard

Georgia: Integrity Scorecard Report > Sub-Category: Supreme Audit Institution
Indicators		Score
58	Is there a national supreme audit institution, auditor general or equivalent agency covering the entire public sector?	100
59	Is the supreme audit institution effective?	41
60	Can citizens access reports of the supreme audit institution?	42

Indicator and sub-Indicator Details

Is there a national supreme audit institution, auditor general or equivalent agency covering the entire public sector?

58: In law, is there a national supreme audit institution, auditor general or equivalent agency covering the entire public sector?

Score:

YES

Comments: The audit institution is called the Chamber of Control.

References: Constitution of Georgia Law on Chamber of Control

Is the supreme audit institution effective?

59a: In law, the supreme audit institution is protected from political interference.

Score:

YES

Comments: Formally it is fully separate from the government. The chief is directly appointed by Parliament and answers to Parliament as well.

References: Law on Chamber of Control

59b: In practice, the head of the audit agency is protected from removal without relevant justification.

Score:

100

Comments: All heads of the Chamber of Control left pre-term due to political pressure. Appointments have been made solely due to political locality. No explanation was ever given.

References: See media reports on the appointment of the new chairman of the Chamber of Control, Levan Bejashvili, at [ LINK ] July 15, 2008 Levan Bejashvili is appointed head of the Chamber of Control of Georgia

Peer Review Comments: Some heads of the agency serve a defined term, but they can, in some cases, be removed through a combination of official or unofficial pressure. The GOG never provided an explanation for the latest change in the management of the agency.

59c: In practice, the audit agency has a professional, full-time staff.

Score:

100

Comments: There were complaints from the government upon the appointment of the new chair, because of the lack of professionalism and need for reform at the Chamber of Control. As for numbers in comparative terms with other agencies, it has limited budget which obviously causes under staffing.

References: See media reports from July 2008 at [ LINK ]

Peer Review Comments: While it is normal to complain about understaffing, the agency seems to have enough employees to fulfill its basic mandate. One issue that could create problems this year is the moving of the office from Tbilisi to Kutaisi.

59d: In practice, audit agency appointments support the independence of the agency.

Score:

100

Comments: As all heads of the Chamber of Control left pre-term due to political pressure, and every next appointment has been made solely due to political loyalty, there is a belief that subsequent appointments are made according to the political instructions of the chair.

References: See media reports from July 2008 at [ LINK ]

Peer Review Comments: Political consideration seems to be very high on the agenda in appointments of the head of the institution, and could set a tone for hiring the rest of the staff.

59e: In practice, the audit agency receives regular funding.

Score:

100

Comments:

References: There have been no media reports on cutting funds or delays for political reasons. However, as most of the other agencies, they have experienced delays in the spring of 2008 due to the shortage of money in the budget.

Peer Review Comments: The agency has a predictable source of funding that is fairly consistent from year to year. Political considerations are not a major factor in determining agency funding.

59f: In practice, the audit agency makes regular public reports.

Score:

100

Comments:

References: By law, there are annual reports to Parliament. This is mostly enforced, although deadlines are frequently missed. See also web page of the Chamber of Control. All reports are released there: [ LINK ]

59g: In practice, the government acts on the findings of the audit agency.

Score:

100

Comments:

References: There have been no media reports that the findings of the Chamber of Control have ever been the reason for any investigation. [ LINK ]

59h: In practice, the audit agency is able to initiate its own investigations.

Score:

100

Comments: In July 2008, Parliament started talks about the increase of powers of the Chamber of Control.

References: There are no such media reports. By law, the Chamber of Control does not have the right to investigate.

Can citizens access reports of the supreme audit institution?

60a: In law, citizens can access reports of the audit agency.

Score:

YES

Comments:

References: Law on Chamber of Control General Administrative Code, ch. III

60b: In practice, citizens can access audit reports within a reasonable time period.

Score:

100

Comments: Reports are difficult to obtain, as in most of cases they contain unpleasant information for high ranking public officials. Those reports are not for immediate reaction or investigation but rather used as blackmail in case those officials will consider loyalty shifts.

References: Interview with the anti-corruption team leader of the Georgian Young Lawyers' Association, Tamar Gurchian See report of audit institutions at [ LINK ]

60c: In practice, citizens can access the audit reports at a reasonable cost.

Score:

100

Comments: One needs to pay only for photocopying, which could prove expensive, as Chamber of Control materials are huge in volume with all the attachments and spread sheets.

References: Interview with the anti-corruption team leader of the Georgian Young Lawyers' Association, Tamar Gurchian See report of audit institutions at [ LINK ]

Peer Review Comments: The cost is reasonable. The cost to access all information might be around US$25. However, applicants can ask only for a portion of information. The payment per page is 2.5 cents.