Photo Courtesy: morungexpress
Kohima: Members of the Nagaland Legislative Assembly (NLA) Financial Committees gathered in Kohima on June 5 for an orientation program dedicated to strengthening legislative oversight and public expenditure monitoring. The session, held at the NLA Secretariat, brought together lawmakers and experts to discuss the mandate, powers, and procedures of the Public Accounts Committee, the Estimates Committee, and the Committee on Public Undertakings.
Devender Singh, a former Additional Secretary of the Lok Sabha Secretariat, served as the lead resource person. He highlighted that effective parliamentary oversight is critical for maintaining executive accountability. He noted that oversight goes beyond simple spending approval, asserting that it includes "ensuring that funds are utilised prudently, efficiently and in accordance with legislative approval."
The training detailed the specific functions of each committee. The Public Accounts Committee reviews Comptroller and Auditor General reports and financial accounts to ensure compliance. The Estimates Committee focuses on identifying administrative reforms and efficiency improvements, while the Committee on Public Undertakings monitors the performance and autonomy of state-run entities.
Financial experts also briefed the assembly members on technical operational challenges. Ketoulhou Metha of the Finance Department highlighted concerns regarding the failure of various departments to submit monthly reconciliation bills, which creates significant accounting errors. Additionally, Senior Deputy Accountant General Kahoto J Yepthomi addressed the audit process, noting that fraudulent withdrawals at the end of financial years remain a recurring issue in certain government departments.
The program concluded with an interactive session where NLA members engaged with experts from the Lok Sabha Secretariat and the Parliamentary Research and Training Institute for Democracies to address practical implementation challenges.
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