Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla calls for use of technology in auditing, CM Satheesan flags wrong auditing methodologies

Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla emphasized the importance of using technology in auditing during the opening of a two-day conference of Public Accounts Committees (PAC) chairpersons from 25 states hosted by the Keralam Assembly. The inclusion of an Opposition Member as the Chairperson reflects the maturity and inclusiveness of India's parliamentary democracy, as everyone's perspectives are considered in examining public expenditure.

Despite these efforts, PACs often face delays, with reports pending for up to two decades. To address this, Birla suggested leveraging technology, data analytics, and Artificial Intelligence to manage the vast expenditure data, identify emerging trends, and detect potential financial irregularities.

Keralam Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan called for a thorough discussion on the use of Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG) reports that fall outside the constitutional audit purview. He pointed out instances where CAG reports have been criticized, such as the 2G spectrum scandal and the Vizhinjam Port case. Satheesan also highlighted the misuse of Public Private Partnerships (PPPs) like the Vizhinjam Port, which are subject to different financial and commercial structures.

Furthermore, he criticized the Assembly's move in 2021 to reject the CAG report on the Kerala Infrastructure Investment Fund Board (KIIFB) without proper review by the PAC.