Chandigarh (Balwinder Singh): Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini asserted on Saturday that Chartered Accountants serve as the foundational pillars of India’s financial stability and will play a defining role in realizing the vision of a developed nation. Addressing the national conference of CA students, titled ‘Pragyan 2026’, at the Indradhanush Auditorium in Panchkula, the Chief Minister inaugurated the event by lighting the ceremonial lamp. Saini highlighted that under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, India is rapidly advancing to become the world’s fourth-largest economy, a growth heavily supported by record monthly Goods and Services Tax collections managed through the expertise of the accounting fraternity. Responding to a formal request by the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India for a five-acre land allocation to establish a Centre of Excellence in Panchkula, the Chief Minister assured the institute of comprehensive government support.
Addressing the corporate delegates and students, Saini emphasized the immense institutional trust placed in the signature of a Chartered Accountant, recalling the Prime Minister’s observation that a CA’s signature carries more statutory weight than even that of the Prime Minister. He maintained that while governments draft macro-economic policies and welfare schemes, it is the professional integrity, transparency, and ethical reporting of CAs that determine the actual direction and health of the national economy. The Chief Minister welcomed students arriving from across India, noting that Haryana has successfully transformed into a premier national hub for new business enterprises and technology startups, offering a vast array of opportunities for young financial professionals.
Touching upon modern disruptive technologies, Saini addressed widespread concerns regarding the impact of Artificial Intelligence on the financial sector. He firmly dismissed apprehensions that AI would displace professional accounting roles, stating that no computer software or automated system could ever substitute human intellect, ethical judgment, lived experience, and strategic decision-making capacities. Earlier in the session, Chairman of the Board of Studies CA Rajesh Sharma stated that the ICAI has expanded into the world’s largest accounting body, encompassing 5.30 lakh members and 12 lakh students across 185 domestic branches, 154 overseas chapters, and 31 representative offices globally. The high-profile event saw the participation of prominent dignitaries, including NICASA Chandigarh Chairman Sanjeev Kumar Lakhatia, former Chandigarh BJP President Sanjay Tandon, Panchkula Mayor Shyam Lal Bansal, and senior administrative officials.
