The All India Conference of Chairpersons of Public Accounts Committees (PAC) of Parliament, State Legislatures, and Legislative Councils was successfully held in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala.
A prominent delegation from the Odisha Legislative Assembly actively participated in the summit, advocating for stronger financial oversight and governance.
Speaking on the theme of “Audit, Accountability, and Good Governance,” Odisha Legislative Assembly’s PAC Chairperson and MLA, Smt. Pramila Mallik, highlighted the crucial role of the Public Accounts Committee in a parliamentary democracy. She noted that the committee is instrumental in monitoring the expenditure of government grants and holding the executive accountable for the proper utilization of public funds.
“The Public Accounts Committee must remain committed to transparency, accountability, and sound financial management regarding the expenditure of government grants. We must ensure that every single rupee is spent on the welfare of the public and directly contributes to the development of the state and the nation,” Mallik stated.
Echoing this sentiment, Odisha PAC Member and MLA Dr. Arun Kumar Sahoo emphasized the need for honest self-evaluation within the committee to determine how successfully it is achieving its core objectives. He stressed that crucial audits must be completed within a strict timeframe. “Any discrepancies found must be taken seriously, and exemplary action should be initiated to ensure accountability,” Dr. Sahu added during the panel discussions.
The high-profile conference was graced by the presence of several national dignitaries, including Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, Rajya Sabha Deputy Chairman Harivansh, and Kerala’s V. D. Satheesan.
Alongside Mallik and Dr. Sahu, the Odisha delegation included PAC Members MLA Ramachandra Kadam, MLA Amar Kumar Nayak, and Odisha Legislative Assembly Secretary Satyabrata Rout.
