Members of the Goa Legislative Assembly, Shri Govind Gaude and Shri Ulhas Tuenkar, recently participated in the Conference of Chairpersons of the Public Accounts Committees of Parliament and State/UT Legislatures, held at the Keralam Legislative Assembly, Thiruvananthapuram, Keralam.
The Conference organised by the Lok Sabha Secretariat in coordination with the Keralam Legislature Secretariat brought together Chairpersons of Public Accounts Committees (PACs) from Parliament and various State and Union Territory Legislatures to deliberate on strengthening legislative oversight, financial accountability and transparency in public administration. It was based on the Central theme, ‘Audit, Accountability and Good Governance – The Evolving Role of the Public Accounts Committee’.
On the occasion, Shri Govind Gaude, MLA, delivered an address highlighting the significant role played by Public Accounts Committees in ensuring accountability in the utilisation of public funds and promoting transparency and good governance. In his address, Shri Gaude emphasised that the Public Accounts Committee is one of the most important instruments of legislative financial oversight. By examining audit reports and scrutinising government expenditure, the Committee ensures that public money is utilised judiciously, efficiently and in accordance with the principles of financial propriety.
Shri Gaude, underscored the need to strengthen the functioning of Public Accounts Committees through timely examination of audit observations, effective follow-up of recommendations and greater coordination between the legislature, the executive and audit institutions. He stressed that the role of PACs should not be confined merely to identifying financial irregularities but should also focus on improving administrative efficiency, preventing the recurrence of shortcomings and ensuring better delivery of public services.
The deliberations at the conference provided an important platform for exchanging experiences, sharing best practices and discussing emerging challenges in parliamentary and legislative financial oversight. The participation of the Goa MLAs reflected the commitment of the Goa Legislative Assembly towards strengthening democratic institutions, promoting financial discipline and upholding the principles of transparency and accountability in governance.
The conference concluded with an emphasis on the evolving and constructive role of Public Accounts Committees in strengthening legislative scrutiny and ensuring that public resources are utilised in the larger interest of citizens.
