A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) Member of Parliament Terrence Campbell has questioned the independence of the Office of the Auditor General and called for its head, Deodat Sharma to be replaced as he seems to be “a little too close” to the governing People’s Progressive Party (PPP).
“I believe that the Office of the Auditor General, I believe that this Auditor General, in fact, has become a little too close to the governing party,” Campbell told Kiskadee Watch yesterday as he was commenting on the continued occupation of the Office of Auditor General by Sharma after reaching the statutory retirement age of 68.
He raised concerns about the internal administration of the office, saying he had received reports that the Deputy Auditor General was in fact running its operations. The Deputy Auditor General is the wife of the Finance Minister Dr Ashni Singh. This, he said, creates a conflict of interest, particularly because the Auditor General’s office is responsible for examining government spending and financial management. “That is not a situation that should leave anybody who is concerned with public accountability at ease. It is a troubling situation,” Campbell observed.
He further alleged that he had received reports that certain issues were being overlooked by the Auditor General and that some reports were being “tweaked” within the office to prevent particular matters from receiving attention. He specifically questioned whether major government projects, including gas and energy initiatives, had attracted sufficient scrutiny from the Auditor General. “For example, the gas to energy project and so on. Have these things attracted the attention of the Auditor General? What’s going on over here?”
Campbell criticised the continued tenure of Sharma, who attained the age of 68 in March 2026, arguing that the Auditor General had served his time and should make way for a successor. “So he needs to go. We need a new Auditor General to be appointed. He needs to go. He has served his time,” he said, adding, “Thank you, sir, for your service, but you need to move on and we need to get a new Auditor General in place.”
Meanwhile, former Auditor General Anand Goolsarran, through attorney Christopher Ram, has written to Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs Anil Nandlall SC seeking clarification on the legal basis for Sharma’s continued tenure. Ram has indicated that judicial review proceedings could follow if a satisfactory explanation is not provided.
The challenge centres on Article 223 of the Constitution and the applicable retirement age for the Auditor General, with Goolsarran’s position being that Sharma should have vacated the office upon attaining 68 unless there is lawful authority for his continued tenure.
PAC Chairman Vishnu Panday has also questioned the continued tenure of Sharma, arguing that there appears to be no legal provision allowing him to remain in office beyond the prescribed retirement age. Panday told Kiskadee Watch yesterday that the issue warrants clear answers from the relevant authorities. “There is no provision to prolong his stay,” Panday said, adding that the circumstances surrounding Sharma’s continued tenure must be properly explained.
He also raised concerns about the financial implications of retaining Sharma beyond the retirement age, noting that the matter is not merely one of procedure or legality but also one of public expenditure. He said Sharma’s continued retention represents an additional cost to taxpayers and questioned why arrangements had not been made for a successor if his tenure was expected to end upon reaching the prescribed retirement age.
The PAC chairman said the Government should therefore explain what happened to the succession plan for the office and whether any formal arrangements had been made to ensure a smooth transition when Sharma reached the retirement age. “It must be questioned as to what happened with the succession plan. Answers must be given,” Panday said.
Meanwhile, on Goolsarran’s behalf, Ram has asked the Attorney General to confirm whether any approval, extension, reappointment or other authorisation was granted for Sharma to remain in office beyond March 2026. If an extension was granted, he is seeking details of who granted it, the date on which it was granted and the form in which it was issued, as well as the specific constitutional or legislative provision relied upon to confer the power.
Ram is also seeking confirmation of whether the Public Service Commission provided advice on the matter, and, if so, the substance and date of that advice. Article 223 requires the President to act in accordance with the advice of the Public Service Commission in relation to the office of Auditor General, Ram noted.
In the event that a satisfactory response is not provided, Ram said Goolsarran intends to seek relief under the Judicial Review Act. The proposed relief includes a declaration that Sharma vacated the office of Auditor General upon attaining the age of 68; a declaration under section 18(1)(b) that the office is vacant; and an injunction under section 18(1)(a) restraining Sharma from acting as Auditor General.
Alternatively, Goolsarran would seek an order of certiorari quashing any purported extension or approval of Sharma’s continued tenure. Nandlall and Sharma have been identified as the intended respondents in any proceedings.
A separate letter was also sent directly to Sharma notifying him of the intention to challenge his continued occupation of the office.
Attempts by Kiskadee Watch to reach Nandlall for comment on the issue provide futile.
The Office of the Auditor General had also undertaken to return a call on Monday but did not do so.
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