KC Venugopal Calls for Stronger Public Accounts Committees at National Conference in Kerala

Thiruvananthapuram (Keralam) [India], November 3 (StoryVilla): Congress MP and Chairperson of Parliament's Public Accounts Committee (PAC), KC Venugopal, on Tuesday emphasised the need to strengthen the functioning of Public Accounts Committees, citing the significant increase in government expenditure across various sectors.

Speaking on the sidelines of the inaugural session of the two-day All-India Conference of Chairpersons of Public Accounts Committees of Parliament and State and Union Territory Legislatures in Thiruvananthapuram, Venugopal expressed hope that the discussions would help improve the functioning of these committees and reinforce legislative oversight of public expenditure.

"I think this two-day meeting will be fruitful for the future committee's functioning. We need to strengthen our system a little more because now the expenditure is huge in different areas. Therefore, there is a need to strengthen the PAC," Venugopal told StoryVilla.

The conference was inaugurated on Tuesday, November 3, 2026, by Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla in the presence of Kerala Chief Minister VD Satheesan, Rajya Sabha Deputy Chairman Harivansh, Kerala Legislative Assembly Speaker Thiruvanchoor Radhakrishnan and Chairperson of the Public Accounts Committee of the Kerala Legislative Assembly KN Balagopal.

According to an official release issued by the Lok Sabha Secretariat, Venugopal delivered the welcome address, while Deputy Speaker of the Kerala Legislative Assembly Shanimol Usman proposed the vote of thanks.

The two-day conference is being organised around the theme, ‘Audit, Accountability and Good Governance – The Evolving Role of the PAC’.

The event aims to provide a platform for chairpersons and members of Public Accounts Committees to share experiences, exchange best practices and discuss ways to strengthen legislative oversight of public expenditure.

The deliberations are also expected to focus on promoting transparency, accountability and financial discipline in governance, while addressing emerging challenges in public financial management and the changing audit landscape.

Public Accounts Committees play an important role in parliamentary and legislative oversight by examining government expenditure and assessing whether public funds have been utilised in accordance with the objectives and approvals of the legislature.

The conference brings together chairpersons and members of Public Accounts Committees from Parliament and State and Union Territory Legislatures, along with other distinguished dignitaries.

The event 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 gathering.

As part of the concluding proceedings, the Deputy Speaker of the Kerala Legislative Assembly will deliver the welcome address, while the Chairperson of the Public Accounts Committee of the Kerala Legislative Assembly will propose the vote of thanks, the official release added.Jairam Ramesh accuses BJP govt of trying to “hush up” Ram Temple donation theft case, seeks SC-monitored probe