Joint meeting of Chhattisgarh Legislative Assembly’s financial committees held ahead of monsoon session

RaipurAhead of the monsoon session of the Chhattisgarh Legislative Assembly, a joint meeting of the financial committees was held at the Assembly Secretariat under the chairmanship of Speaker Dr Raman Singh on Thursday. The meeting discussed topics related to the Public Accounts Committee, Estimates Committee, Committee on Public Undertakings, and Local Bodies and Panchayati Raj Accounts Committee.The meeting was attended by leader of opposition Dr Charan Das Mahant, Chairman of the Public Accounts Committee, Ajay Chandrakar, Chairman of the Estimates Committee, Amar Agrawal, Chairman of the Committee on Public Undertakings, Dharamlal Kaushik, Chairman of the Local Bodies and Panchayati Raj Accounts Committee, Principal Accountant General Yashwant Kumar, Finance Department Secretaries and Directors, State Audit Legislative Assembly Secretary Mr. Dinesh Sharma, Finance Secretary Ms. Sharda Verma, and other related officials and employees.Speaker Dr Raman Singh emphasized the extensive and broad scope of parliamentary committees, highlighting their significance as “miniature houses.” He noted that during recesses, these committees maintain oversight over the executive branch, ensuring accountability and benefiting from the extensive parliamentary knowledge and experience of their chairpersons.

Dr Singh stressed the importance of financial committees within parliamentary structures, stating that these committees oversee the expenditure of budgetary allocations passed by the assembly across various governmental departments. They review this spending to ensure financial discipline within the executive branch.He underscored the significance of the Public Accounts Committee, which reviews economic audit activities presented in the reports of the Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG). The committee conducts oral examinations of all economic irregularities identified in these reports and seeks written explanations for other observations.The Estimates Committee was highlighted for its role in maintaining financial oversight over departmental budgets and expenditures following their approval by the assembly. Dr. Singh engaged in detailed discussions with the members of the Estimates Committee to gather their perspectives.The Committee on Public Undertakings was recognized for its role in scrutinizing the accounts of state corporations and boards audited by the Principal Accountant General. The committee prepares and presents annual reports to the assembly, addressing audit objections and, if necessary, conducting oral evidence sessions with departmental secretaries.Regarding the Local Bodies and Panchayati Raj Accounts Committee, Dr Singh explained that this committee reviews audit reports of local bodies and panchayati raj institutions prepared by the Principal Accountant General and the State Audit of Chhattisgarh. These reviews are then presented as reports to the assembly.Dr. Singh urged committee chairpersons and members to maintain regular attendance and active participation in meetings, as this continuity is crucial for the committees’ effectiveness. He encouraged them to strive for excellence in their operations, drawing comparative analyses from other states, and establishing best practices within Chhattisgarh’s legislative financial committees.In conclusion, Speaker Dr Singh extended his best wishes to the committees, expressing hope that they will achieve outstanding results through diligent work and regular meetings during the remaining tenure of Chhattisgarh’s sixth legislative assembly.