New Delhi, March 27 – Delhi Assembly Speaker Vijender Gupta on Friday praised the House for adopting the Public Accounts Committee's (PAC) reports after a gap of over 15 years, criticizing the previous Aam Aadmi Party government.
Addressing the members, Gupta said, "As you are all aware, the previous government failed to present the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) reports to the House, and the PAC effectively ceased to function."
He stated that during the entire 15-year period, not a single report was presented to the House. "However, all CAG reports received by the government have now been presented to the House and referred to the PAC and COGU (Committee on Government Undertakings)," he said.
Highlighting the importance of the PAC in ensuring transparent and corruption-free governance, the Speaker stated that the PAC is one of the most vital committees of this House, entrusted with the critical responsibility of ensuring executive and financial accountability.
"I am pleased that the Delhi Legislative Assembly has successfully brought the PAC back on track," he said, complementing Chief Minister Rekha Gupta's government.
In a span of one year, the PAC has successfully submitted three reports based on CAG findings regarding Health, Excise, and Vehicular Pollution, he said.
"I congratulate the Chairperson and the members of the PAC for this commendable effort," he said.
The Speaker also appreciated the Committee's efforts, saying, "It has made very substantive recommendations based on its findings and has reported that departments have already begun implementing corrective measures to rectify the irregularities and deficiencies identified in their functioning."
He said, in accordance with parliamentary traditions and conventions, departments are required to submit their Action Taken Notes (ATNs) on the recommendations made by the PAC.
"Therefore, all concerned departments are hereby directed to submit their ATNs within the stipulated timeframe mentioned in the reports. The Legislative Assembly Secretariat is also directed to immediately forward these reports to the respective departments for further necessary action," said Gupta.