Om Birla Calls for Digital Audit Platform for State Legislatures

• Om Birla proposes a common digital audit platform for state legislatures.
• The Keralam Resolution offers a roadmap for stronger PACs.
• Birla calls for technology training for PAC members and staff.
• Venugopal seeks timely audit replies and public discussion of PAC reports.

GG News Bureau
Thiruvananthapuram, 4th Nov: Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla has called for a common PAC digital audit platform for state legislatures, on the lines of the system available to parliamentary committees, to improve monitoring of audit observations and ensure timely follow-up on reports.

Delivering the valedictory address at the two-day Conference of Chairpersons of Public Accounts Committees (PACs) of Parliament and State and Union Territory legislatures in Thiruvananthapuram on Wednesday, Birla said technology should become an instrument of institutional transformation.

He said a common digital platform would help state legislatures systematically track audit observations, strengthen follow-up mechanisms and ensure the timely examination and disposal of audit reports.

Birla also called for the Centre and states to work together to develop a robust system of audit and evaluation. He emphasised that the findings of the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) must lead to corrective measures and improvements in administration rather than remain confined to official reports.

Highlighting the role of PACs in ensuring accountability in public expenditure, he said the committees must examine audit findings, scrutinise facts and monitor the implementation of their recommendations. The executive, he added, must give due importance to these recommendations and ensure their timely implementation.

Referring to the Keralam Resolution adopted at the conference, Birla said it would provide a roadmap for strengthening PACs and improving legislative oversight. He stressed that its recommendations must translate into concrete institutional action to promote financial discipline, transparency and responsive governance.

The Speaker also said legislative scrutiny should assess whether public funds are delivering the intended benefits. Government programmes must be evaluated on their continuity, quality, timely implementation and actual outcomes, including the creation of durable infrastructure and delivery of welfare benefits.

Calling for greater investment in institutional capacity, Birla said PAC members, CAG officials and legislative staff must receive regular training to understand and use emerging technologies. He also urged state PACs to share successful practices, innovative approaches and technological solutions.

Noting that representatives from 27 states participated in the conference, he called for regular meetings and exchanges of experience among parliamentary and state legislative committees.

PAC Chairperson K. C. Venugopal also stressed the need for committees to adapt to changing times. He called for timely audits, prompt submission of audit reports and complete responses from ministries and departments.

Venugopal suggested that at least one PAC report should be discussed in Parliament and every state legislature to make the committees’ work more accessible to the public. He also proposed an annual meeting between Union and state PACs to review Centrally Sponsored Schemes and advocated using technology, including dashboards, to track audit observations and action taken.

The conference was held on the theme “Audit, Accountability, and Good Governance – The Evolving Role of the PAC”, with discussions focusing on financial oversight, audit follow-up, technological innovation and institutional effectiveness.