Parliamentary Panels Gather in Kerala to Strengthen Oversight

Public Accounts Committee chairpersons from across India are gathering in Thiruvananthapuram for a two-day conference aimed at strengthening legislative oversight of public money. Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla will open the conference on Tuesday.

The event will examine the theme 'Audit, Accountability and Good Governance: The Evolving Role of Public Accounts Committees (PACs)'. Participants from Parliament and state and Union Territory assemblies will share their experiences and discuss what works well in committee functioning.

A central objective of the meeting is to find practical ways to make PACs more effective in monitoring public expenditure. Discussions will also address how committees can promote transparency, accountability and financial discipline across government departments.

The inaugural session will feature Kerala Chief Minister V. D. Satheesan, Rajya Sabha Deputy Chairman Harivansh Narayan Singh, Kerala Assembly Speaker Thiruvanchoor Radhakrishnan and K. N. Balagopal, who heads the Kerala Assembly's Public Accounts Committee. Balagopal will address the gathering.

K. C. Venugopal, Chairman of the Parliamentary Public Accounts Committee, will give the welcome speech. Kerala Deputy Speaker Shanimol Usman will propose the vote of thanks. Members, chairpersons and other distinguished guests from Parliament and state legislatures are taking part.

The conference is expected to encourage constructive dialogue on emerging challenges in public financial management, changes in the audit landscape and the need to enhance the effectiveness of legislative scrutiny.

The proceedings will end on Wednesday with a closing session addressed by Om Birla. The Kerala Assembly Speaker and the Parliamentary Public Accounts Committee Chairman will also speak at the closing session.