The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) of the Arunachal Pradesh Legislative Assembly took significant steps to resolve long-pending financial audits during its latest meeting in Itanagar. The committee, in its fifth sitting, addressed decades-old cases of excess government spending and established new frameworks for future fiscal accountability.
Historic Meeting Addresses Legacy Audit Issues
The crucial meeting was held on Monday at the state assembly secretariat. Dr Mohesh Chai, the PAC chairman, presided over the proceedings. Key members in attendance included legislators Topin Ete and Toko Tatung. The sitting also saw the participation of senior officials: Assembly Secretary Tadar Meena, Principal Accountant General Vanlal Chuanga, and Finance Commissioner YW Ringu.
The core agenda involved tackling a backlog of audit observations. The committee meticulously examined long-pending cases of excess expenditure highlighted in the Appropriation Accounts of the Arunachal Pradesh government. These accounts, published by the Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG), covered an extensive period from the financial year 1986-87 all the way through to 2009-10.
Setting New Norms for Fiscal Discipline
Beyond resolving past issues, the committee proactively worked on preventing future discrepancies. Members engaged in detailed discussions on monetary limits and norms for commenting on savings and excess expenditure in the Appropriation Accounts. For this, they relied on expert inputs from both the principal accounting authority and the finance commissioner.
After thorough deliberations, the PAC arrived at two major resolutions. First, it resolved to regularise all the pending cases of excess expenditure for the financial years spanning 1986-87 to 2009-10. This move effectively clears a significant historical audit backlog.
Secondly, the committee decided to formally adopt the prescribed monetary limits and norms for commenting on instances of savings and excess spending in future Appropriation Accounts. This establishes a clearer, standardized framework for fiscal reporting and legislative oversight.
Consensus and Forward Momentum
The official statement released after the meeting confirmed that the sitting concluded with a full consensus on both resolutions. This unanimous agreement underscores a collective commitment within the state's legislative framework to enhance financial governance and transparency.
The PAC's actions mark a pivotal step in reconciling Arunachal Pradesh's fiscal records. By regularising expenditures from a 24-year period and instituting clear guidelines, the committee aims to strengthen accountability mechanisms for the state's finances moving forward.
