Kohima: Mhathung Yanthan, Chairman of the Nagaland Legislative Assembly Public Accounts Committee, traveled to Thiruvananthapuram for a two-day national conference. The event took place on November 3 and 4, drawing chairpersons and members from 27 states and union territories. Lok Sabha speaker Om Birla opened the sessions, which centered on modernizing financial oversight. The gathering featured high-profile officials including Keralam Chief Minister VD Satheesan, Rajya Sabha Deputy Chairman Harivansh, Keralam Legislative Assembly speaker Thiruvanchoor Radhakrishnan, and Lok Sabha PAC chairman KC Venugopal.
Yanthan contributed a piece to the conference souvenir titled, "The Public Accounts Committee: Strengthening Legislative Oversight for Better Governance - Reflections from Nagaland." In the text, he pushed for faster examination of Comptroller and Auditor General reports and better digital tracking of state spending. He told the assembly that the trip offered vital lessons for Nagaland, specifically regarding technological shifts in monitoring public funds.
The conference concluded with the adoption of the Keralam Resolution. This document outlines new mandates to fix inefficiencies in legislative audits across the country. It calls for standardized timelines for government responses to audit observations and the creation of a centralized digital portal for sharing best practices. Participating states agreed to implement the Audit Para Monitoring System, hold at least three meetings each month, and form specialized sub-committees to clear backlogs.
KC Venugopal reminded attendees of the heavy responsibility they carry. He stated, "Every penny of public money must be translated into tangible outcomes for the welfare of the beneficiaries." Attendees also committed to enhancing analytical training for secretariats and strengthening ties with the C&AG to use forensic tools on high-risk governance areas. Om Birla urged members to turn these resolutions into real results immediately.
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