THIRUVANANATHAPURAM: The ‘performance audit’ for MLAs, which was to be the highlight of the recently-concluded Assembly session, may prove a dud after all. Speaker G Karthikeyan said more discussions were required with political parties before the audit was started.The Opposition, on the other hand, is bitterly opposed to the audit, calling it impractical. Besides, the proposal was never discussed with it, Opposition leaders said. Plans for a ‘performance audit’ were made public in September. It was to be a first for the Kerala Assembly.Announcing the 25-day second session of the 13th Kerala Assembly, Karthikeyan had said the post-session exercise would become a regular affair. The audit results were to be posted on www.niyamasabha.org, the official Assembly website, so that the people could have a look-see. But 18 walkouts, 10 disruptions, a hurt lady watch-and-ward, suspension of two MLAs and a minister stomping on the table later, both fronts are not too keen on the idea.In September, the Speaker had said the decision to perform the audit was taken after discussions at various fora, but now it has been decided that further deliberations are required. ‘’It will be performed only after detailed interactions with party leaders concerned as allegations and counter-allegations have been levelled,’’ Karthikeyan said.Opposition deputy Leader Kodiyeri Balakrishnan said the proposal was not discussed with the Opposition. “It is not practical anyway. How to perform the audit, who does it - everything poses problems. You cannot assess the performance of MLAs through audits. Separate criteria are required to evaluate an Opposition MLA and a ruling party MLA,” he said.
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