Thiruvananthapuram, Nov. 4 -- Keralam Chief Minister VD Satheesan on Tuesday called for a nationwide special drive to clear long-pending cases before Public Accounts Committees (PACs), warning that delays stretching up to 20 years defeat the purpose of legislative scrutiny and financial accountability.

Addressing the inaugural session of the Conference of Chairpersons of Public Accounts Committees of Parliament and State Legislatures, Satheesan said that several PACs across the country were sitting on a huge backlog of files, including cases dating back two decades. He stressed that accountability loses its meaning when investigations are not completed in time, as officials found responsible for financial irregularities may have retired ...