Delivering the valedictory address on the conclusion of the two-day Conference of Chairpersons of Public Accounts Committees of the Parliament of India and States/UTs Legislatures at Thiruvananthapuram today, Lok Sabha Speaker Shri Om Birla called for greater technological integration in the functioning of legislative committees. Proposing a common digital Audit Monitoring Platform for state legislatures on the lines of the platform available to the committees of Parliament, he said that such a platform would facilitate systematic monitoring of audit observations, strengthen follow-up mechanisms, and ensure the timely examination and disposal of audit reports.
Emphasising that technology must become an instrument of institutional transformation, he noted that the adoption of digital innovations would significantly enhance the efficiency, transparency, and effectiveness of legislative oversight. At the same time, cautioning against overdependence on technology, he observed that technological advancement must always remain anchored in human values, wisdom, and sensitivity. Technology should reinforce institutional accountability and improve the quality of decision-making, but it can never substitute human judgment and discernment. He also underscored the need to maintain the accuracy, authenticity, and impartiality of data generated and accessed through digital platforms, observing that the credibility of technology-driven governance ultimately rests on the reliability of the information on which decisions are based.
Referring to the suggestions made during the conference by the Chairman of the Public Accounts Committee of Lok Sabha Shri K. C. Venugopal, Lok Sabha Speaker called for the committees of Parliament and state legislatures to jointly evolve a comprehensive system of audit and evaluation to address common challenges relating to continuous scrutiny and timely disposal of audit reports. He observed that a coordinated institutional mechanism would foster greater synergy, facilitate the exchange of experiences, and strengthen the collective capacity of Public Accounts Committees across the country.
Underscoring the indispensable role of PACs in ensuring accountability in public expenditure, he said that while the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) conducts independent and impartial audits, the Public Accounts Committees shoulder the crucial responsibility of examining audit findings, undertaking detailed factual scrutiny, and ensuring effective follow-up on their recommendations. He stressed that audit observations must not remain confined to reports and records; they must translate into appropriate corrective measures and tangible improvements in administrative functioning. The Executive, he said, must accord due importance to the recommendations of these committees and ensure their timely implementation.
Noting that the Keralam Resolution adopted at the Conference of Chairpersons of Public Accounts Committees (PACs) of Parliament and State/UT Legislatures will serve as a significant guiding framework and a forward-looking roadmap for strengthening the functioning of these vital parliamentary and legislative institutions in the years ahead, he observed that the rich deliberations, collective wisdom, and recommendations emerging from the conference must find meaningful expression in concrete action. He emphasised that the ultimate objective must be to strengthen financial discipline, enhance institutional capabilities, and make governance more transparent, responsive, and outcome-oriented at both the Union and state levels. Expressing confidence that its recommendations would find meaningful reflection in the functioning of both the legislature and the executive, he stated that the effective implementation of the resolution would further strengthen democratic institutions, reinforce public trust, and enhance the quality of parliamentary and legislative oversight.
Lok Sabha Speaker mentioned that the expanding scale of public investment in vital sectors such as education, healthcare, infrastructure, social welfare, and rural development has made the responsibility of ensuring the prudent and purposeful utilisation of public funds even more significant. Every rupee of public money, he emphasised, must be properly accounted for and utilised for the purpose for which it was allocated.
He observed that legislative oversight must, therefore, go beyond the examination of expenditure to assess whether public funds are delivering the intended benefits and creating measurable improvements in the lives of citizens. He further emphasised that the evaluation of government programmes and schemes must encompass their continuity, quality, timely implementation, and actual outcomes. Whether it is the creation of durable infrastructure, the completion of projects within stipulated timelines, or the timely delivery of welfare benefits to eligible beneficiaries, every aspect of public service delivery must be subjected to systematic scrutiny and evaluation. He observed that while department-related standing committees also undertake important assessments in this regard, the Public Accounts Committee has a particularly significant responsibility in ensuring financial propriety and accountability for public expenditure.
Highlighting the importance of strengthening institutional capabilities, Shri Birla said that continuous capacity building and professional development of officers and employees associated with the CAG and Public Accounts Committees are essential in an era of rapid technological transformation. Members of Parliament and state legislatures must also be equipped with the requisite knowledge and skills to understand and effectively employ emerging technologies in their oversight responsibilities. Regular training, exposure to new tools, and the sharing of professional expertise, he noted, would considerably enhance the quality of scrutiny, monitoring, and evaluation.
Lok Sabha Speaker also called for institutionalising regular meetings, conferences, and exchanges of experiences among Public Accounts Committees of Parliament and state legislatures. He observed that the sharing of successful practices, innovative approaches, and technological solutions developed by different states would provide valuable learning opportunities and enable committees across the country to adopt and replicate effective models. Noting that representatives from 27 states participated in the conference and enriched the deliberations with their experiences and perspectives, he said that such collective engagement is essential to building stronger and more effective legislative institutions.
Shri Birla noted that the true significance of the conference would lie in translating its deliberations and the Kerala Resolution into sustained institutional action. He emphasised that stronger Public Accounts Committees, backed by modern technology, informed scrutiny, and effective follow-up mechanisms, would contribute significantly to ensuring that public resources are utilised with prudence, integrity, and a clear sense of public purpose.
PACs MUST EVOLVE WITH CHANGING TIMES TO ENSURE EFFECTIVE ACCOUNTABILITY OF PUBLIC MONEY: SHRI K. C. VENUGOPAL
Chairperson of the Public Accounts Committee of Parliament emphasised that PACs must evolve with changing times to ensure accountability as public money moves through increasingly complex channels. Observing that PACs translate audit findings presented to legislatures into meaningful accountability, he stressed the need for timely audits of public schemes and the prompt laying of audit reports before the Houses. He expressed concern over delayed, incomplete, or absent replies from ministries and departments, and called upon the executive to furnish complete responses promptly.
Emphasising that the work of PACs must reach the people, he suggested that at least one PAC report be taken up for discussion in Parliament and each state legislature to strengthen accountability. He also called for better coordination between the Centre and states in scrutinising Centrally Sponsored Schemes and proposed at least one annual meeting between Union and state PACs devoted to these schemes. Underlining the importance of specialised staff, training, and capacity building, he advocated greater use of technology, including a dashboard to track audit paragraphs and action taken.
Speaker of the Kerala Legislative Assembly; Deputy Speaker of the Kerala Legislative Assembly and the Chairperson of the Public Accounts Committee of Kerala also remained present on this occasion.
The two-day conference witnessed extensive and constructive deliberations on the theme “Audit, Accountability, and Good Governance – The Evolving Role of the PAC”, with a particular focus on strengthening financial oversight, improving audit follow-up mechanisms, embracing technological innovations, and enhancing the institutional effectiveness of Public Accounts Committees.
केरलम विधान सभा, तिरुवनंतपुरम में आयोजित दो दिवसीय Conference of Chairpersons of Public Accounts Committees of Parliament of India and State/UT Legislatures के समापन समारोह को संबोधित किया। केरलम की धरती पर, जहां एक समृद्ध लोकतांत्रिक परंपरा रही है, देश के 27 प्रदेशों से पधारे PAC प्रतिनिधियों ने दो दिनों तक इस विषय पर व्यापक विचार-विमर्श किया कि देश और राज्यों की लोक लेखा समितियां किस प्रकार सार्वजनिक वित्त प्रबंधन में वित्तीय अनुशासन, पारदर्शिता और जवाबदेही सुनिश्चित करते हुए कार्य करें। इस सम्मेलन में सभी के सहयोग और सहभागिता से निम्न साझा संकल्प प्रस्ताव भी पारित हुआ – – सार्वजनिक धन के आवंटन एवं उपयोग की कड़ी जांच कर निर्धारित उद्देश्यों के लिए उसका उचित उपयोग सुनिश्चित करना; – संसद एवं राज्य/केंद्रशासित प्रदेशों की लोक लेखा समितियों के बीच संवाद, अनुभवों और Best Practices के आदान-प्रदान हेतु डिजिटल पोर्टल विकसित करना; – ऑडिट पैरा एवं PAC की सिफारिशों पर Action Taken Reports प्रस्तुत करने की समय-सीमा निर्धारित करना; – सभी राज्यों/केंद्रशासित प्रदेशों में Audit Para Monitoring System जैसी डिजिटल निगरानी प्रणाली विकसित करना; – नियमित प्रशिक्षण और विश्लेषणात्मक उपकरणों के माध्यम से PAC सचिवालयों एवं सदस्यों की क्षमता बढ़ाना; – लंबित ऑडिट टिप्पणियों की समीक्षा के लिए PAC की हर माह कम से कम तीन बैठकें आयोजित करने और उप-समितियां गठित करने पर विचार करना; – CAG के साथ समन्वय मजबूत कर उन्नत Forensic Tools के माध्यम से उच्च जोखिम वाले क्षेत्रों की पहचान और विधायी निगरानी सुनिश्चित करना; तथा विधायी प्रक्रियाओं की अखंडता और पवित्रता बनाए रखते हुए Digital Solutions का प्रभावी उपयोग करना। हम इस resolution को आगे बढ़ाएंगे, ताकि वित्तीय प्रबंधन में बेहतर अनुशासन, पारदर्शिता और जवाबदेही सुनिश्चित की जा सके। केवल बजट का बढ़ना किसी योजना की सफलता का प्रमाण नहीं है। योजना की वास्तविक सफलता तभी है, जब विधायिका नियमित रूप से निगरानी करे कि बजट में जिस मद के लिए धन निर्धारित किया गया था, उसका उपयोग उसी उद्देश्य के लिए हुआ है या नहीं। मेरा मानना है कि हम सभी का दृष्टिकोण इस विषय पर एक समान है। हम अलग-अलग राजनीतिक दलों से हो सकते हैं, विचारधाराएं अलग-अलग हो सकती हैं, लेकिन हमारा साझा उद्देश्य वित्तीय अनुशासन, पारदर्शिता और जवाबदेही सुनिश्चित करना है। मुझे पूरा विश्वास है कि दो दिनों तक इस कॉन्फ्रेंस में सभी प्रतिभागी सदस्यों को एक – दूसरे से सीखने को मिला होगा। साझे संकल्प को अपनाने के साथ ही यह सम्मेलन हमारी Public Accounts Committees को अधिक उन्नत, विकसित एवं सशक्त बनाने में निश्चय ही सहायक सिद्ध होगा।