New Delhi, 01 November (H.S.): Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla will inaugurate a two-day conference of chairpersons of the Public Accounts Committees (PACs) of Parliament and state and Union Territory legislatures in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, on Tuesday, November 3.

According to the Lok Sabha Secretariat, the two-day conference will deliberate extensively on the theme, ‘Audit, Accountability and Good Governance – The Evolving Role of the Public Accounts Committee’. The discussions will focus on strengthening Public Accounts Committees to enhance oversight of public expenditure, transparency and accountability in governance.

Public Accounts Committees play a vital role in upholding the principles of accountability and responsible governance by scrutinising public expenditure and ensuring that public funds are utilised in accordance with the intent and approval of the legislature.

The conference is expected to facilitate constructive discussions on emerging challenges in public financial management, the evolving audit landscape and the need to further strengthen the effectiveness of legislative scrutiny and oversight.

The conference will conclude on Wednesday, November 4, with a valedictory session to be addressed by Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla. The Speaker of the Kerala Legislative Assembly and the Chairperson of Parliament’s Public Accounts Committee will also address the concluding session. The Deputy Speaker of the Kerala Legislative Assembly will deliver the welcome address, while the Chairperson of the Assembly’s Public Accounts Committee will propose the vote of thanks.

The inaugural session will be attended by Kerala Chief Minister V. D. Satheesan, Rajya Sabha Deputy Chairman Harivansh, Kerala Legislative Assembly Speaker Thiruvanchoor Radhakrishnan and Chairperson of the Kerala Legislative Assembly’s Public Accounts Committee K. N. Balagopal.

K. C. Venugopal, Chairperson of Parliament’s Public Accounts Committee, will deliver the welcome address, while Kerala Assembly Deputy Speaker Shanimol Usman will propose the vote of thanks.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar