National conference of Public Accounts Committees begins in Kerala
Congress MP Jebi Mather said the two-day event will help strengthen democratic institutions and improve governance systems.
The All-India Conference of Chairpersons of Public Accounts Committees (PAC) of Parliament and State/UT Legislatures commenced in Kerala on Tuesday. Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla inaugurated the two-day event alongside Kerala Chief Minister VD Satheesan, according to ANI.
Congress MP Jebi Mather said the conference would help strengthen democratic institutions and improve governance systems. She noted that Kerala has a tradition of protecting democratic values and respecting opposing views.
Mather stated that the deliberations should provide a positive direction to parliamentary functioning. She added that the recommendations emerging from the conference should be discussed in Parliament, as previously suggested by Parliamentary PAC Chairperson KC Venugopal.
Venugopal said the meeting would be fruitful for the future functioning of committees. He noted that the PAC needs to be strengthened because government expenditure is now huge in different areas.
BJP MP Aparajita Sarangi described the inaugural session as fruitful. She said speakers discussed the need for proper auditing, administrative efficiency, and accountability at all levels to improve the system.
The conference is themed ‘Audit, Accountability and Good Governance – The Evolving Role of the PAC’. It is expected to conclude on Wednesday, November 4, with a valedictory session addressed by Om Birla.