Given below are two statements, one labelled as Assertion (A) and the other labelled as Reason (R). Read the statements and choose the correct answer using the code given below. (2019 DEC.)

Assertion (A): The salary and conditions of service of the Comptroller and Auditor-General of India cannot be varied to his/her disadvantages after his/her appointment.

Reason (R): The office of the CAG is a constitutional office.

1. Both (A) and (R) are true and (R) is the correct Explanation of (A).

2. Both (A) and (R) are true, but (R) is not the correct Explanation of (A).

3. (A) is true, but (R) is false.

4. (A) is false, but (R) is true.

Answer: 1. Both (A) and (R) are true and (R) is the correct Explanation of (A).

Explanation:

The correct answer is 1. Both (A) and (R) are true and (R) is the correct Explanation of (A).

Assertion (A) is true because Article 148(3) of the Constitution of India states that neither the salary of a Comptroller and Auditor-General nor his rights in respect of leave of absence, pension, or age of retirement shall be varied to his disadvantage after his appointment.

Reason (R) is also true because the office of the CAG is a constitutional office. Article 148(1) of the Constitution of India states that there shall be a Comptroller and Auditor-General of India who shall be appointed by the President of India.

¨ The fact that the office of the CAG is a constitutional office is the reason why his/her salary and conditions of service cannot be varied to his/her disadvantage after his/her appointment. This is to ensure that the CAG is able to function independently and impartially, without fear of being influenced by the government.