Trivandrum: 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.
Referring to the suggestions made during the conference by the Chairman of the Public Accounts Committee of Lok Sabha, Shri K C Venugopal, the 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.
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.
Speaker of the Kerala Legislative Assembly; Deputy Speaker of the Kerala Legislative Assembly and the Chairperson of the Public Accounts Committee of Kerala also were 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.