PAC Chairpersons Conference 2026: Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla to inaugurate meet in Thiruvananthapuram
Synopsis
Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla is set to inaugurate a rare national gathering of Public Accounts Committee Chairpersons from Parliament and all state and UT legislatures in Thiruvananthapuram. The two-day conference on audit, accountability, and good governance signals a renewed push to strengthen India's legislative financial oversight architecture.
Key Takeaways
Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla will inaugurate the PAC Chairpersons Conference in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala on Tuesday, 4 November 2026 .
The two-day conference deliberates on the theme 'Audit, Accountability and Good Governance – The Evolving Role of the PAC' .
Key attendees include Kerala CM V.
Satheesan , Rajya Sabha Deputy Chairman Harivansh , and Parliament's PAC Chairperson K.
The conference covers Chairpersons from Parliament, all state legislatures, and UT legislatures .
The valedictory session on Wednesday, 5 November 2026 will also be addressed by Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla .
Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla will inaugurate the national conference of Chairpersons of Public Accounts Committees (PACs) of Parliament and state and Union Territory legislatures in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, on Tuesday, 4 November 2026, according to an official statement released on Sunday. The two-day conclave brings together legislative oversight bodies from across the country to deliberate on strengthening financial accountability in governance.
Theme and Focus of the Conference
The conference will deliberate under the theme 'Audit, Accountability and Good Governance – The Evolving Role of the PAC'. The deliberations are designed to provide a platform for sharing experiences, exchanging best practices, and exploring ways to further strengthen the role of Public Accounts Committees in ensuring legislative oversight of public expenditure.
Organisers expect the discussions to foster constructive dialogue on emerging challenges in public financial management, the evolving audit landscape, and the need to enhance the effectiveness of legislative scrutiny. Notably, PACs are among the oldest and most consequential parliamentary oversight mechanisms in the Indian legislative system.
Key Dignitaries at the Inaugural Session
The inaugural session will be attended by Kerala Chief Minister V. D. Satheesan, Rajya Sabha Deputy Chairman Harivansh, Kerala Assembly Speaker Thiruvanchoor Radhakrishnan, and Kerala Assembly PAC Chairperson K. N. Balagopal, all of whom are scheduled to address the gathering.
Parliament's Public Accounts Committee Chairperson K. C. Venugopal will deliver the welcome address, while Kerala Deputy Speaker Shanimol Usman will propose the vote of thanks. Chairpersons and members of PACs from Parliament, state legislatures, and UT legislatures, along with other dignitaries, will participate across both days.
Role of Public Accounts Committees
As key parliamentary institutions entrusted with examining public expenditure, PACs ensure that public funds are utilised in accordance with legislative intent. They serve as a critical check on the executive, upholding the principles of accountability and responsible governance.
This conference represents one of the few occasions when PAC Chairpersons from the national legislature and all state and UT assemblies convene under a single roof — making it a significant institutional event for India's financial oversight architecture.
Valedictory Session on Wednesday
The conference is scheduled to conclude on Wednesday, 5 November 2026, with a valedictory session to be addressed by Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla. The Kerala Assembly Speaker and Parliament's PAC Chairperson will also address the closing session.
The outcome of the conference is expected to feed into recommendations on improving audit responsiveness and the timeliness of PAC reports across legislatures.
Point of View
But it carries real institutional weight at a time when questions about public expenditure accountability are louder than usual. India's PACs have historically varied in effectiveness — some state committees meet rarely and produce delayed reports, while Parliament's PAC has taken on high-profile audit findings. Whether this conclave produces binding recommendations or merely symbolic consensus will determine its actual value. The presence of senior constitutional figures from both Centre and Kerala signals political will, but the test lies in the follow-through on audit timelines and action-taken reports.
NationPress
1 Nov 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the PAC Chairpersons Conference being held in Thiruvananthapuram?
It is a two-day national conference of Chairpersons of Public Accounts Committees from Parliament and all state and UT legislatures, being held in Thiruvananthapuram on 4–5 November 2026. The conference deliberates on the theme 'Audit, Accountability and Good Governance – The Evolving Role of the PAC'.
Who will inaugurate the PAC Chairpersons Conference?
Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla will inaugurate the conference on Tuesday, 4 November 2026. He will also address the valedictory session on Wednesday, 5 November 2026.
Who else will attend the inaugural session?
Kerala Chief Minister V. D. Satheesan, Rajya Sabha Deputy Chairman Harivansh, Kerala Assembly Speaker Thiruvanchoor Radhakrishnan, and Kerala Assembly PAC Chairperson K. N. Balagopal will attend and address the inaugural session. Parliament's PAC Chairperson K. C. Venugopal will deliver the welcome address.
What is the role of Public Accounts Committees in India?
Public Accounts Committees are key parliamentary institutions that examine public expenditure to ensure funds are utilised in accordance with legislative intent. They serve as a critical check on the executive and uphold accountability and financial discipline in governance.
When will the PAC Chairpersons Conference conclude?
The conference will conclude on Wednesday, 5 November 2026, with a valedictory session addressed by Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, along with the Kerala Assembly Speaker and Parliament's PAC Chairperson.
