The Office of the Principal Accountant General (Audit), Punjab, organized a landmark symposium on the occasion of Audit Diwas 2025 on “Role of audit in Local Governance” to underscore the pivotal role of audit in ensuring transparency, accountability, and efficiency in public administration at Mahatma Gandhi State Institute of Public Administration (MGSIPA), Chandigarh.
The event was graced by Sh. Kultar Singh Sandhwan, Hon’ble Speaker, Punjab Vidhan Sabha as Chief Guest and Sh. PPl Budh Ram, MLA Budhlada and Chairman of the Committee on Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs) as the guest of honour. Other distinguished members of the Committee on PRIs and Local Bodies, including Kuljit Singh Randhawa, Sh. Ajit Pal Singh Kohli, Smt. Jeevan Jyot Kaur, Sh. Hardeep Singh Dimpy Dhillon, Sh. Sukhwinder Singh Kotli, Smt. Neena Mittal, Sh. Gurlal Ghanaur, Sh. Labh Singh Ugoke, and Sh. Ashok Parashar, also participated in this historic event.
The symposium witnessed active participation from Sarpanches across Punjab, Mayor of Municipal Corporation Ludhiana, PPl Inderjit Kaur, and senior officials from the Department of Local Government, Rural Development, Finance Department, and Examiner, Local Fund Accounts. The Key highlight of the event was the Panel Discussion on the topic “From Compliance to empowerment- Role of audit in Local Governance.”
The discussions emphasized how audit acts as a cornerstone of good governance, promoting financial discipline, compliance with laws, and optimal utilization of public resources. The role of audit in strengthening local self-government institutions was a focal point, ensuring that funds allocated for rural development and urban local bodies are used effectively for citizen welfare.
The symposium served as a platform for dialogue between legislators, auditors, and grassroots representatives, fostering a shared vision for transparent and accountable governance. The Speaker Vidhan Sabha asserted that audit is not merely a financial exercise, it is a tool for assurance and trust-building in democratic governance.
For Panchayati Raj Institutions and Urban Local Bodies, audit acts as a guiding tool—helping them manage resources efficiently, identify gaps, and adopt best practices for service delivery. The Principal Accountant General Ms. Nazli J. Shayin told the media that this symposium is a significant step toward collaborative governance, aligning legislative oversight with professional audit practices for the greater benefit of citizens.
Senior Officials of IA&AD and the entire staff of AG office participated in the event.