UPSC Prelims 2013 · Question 1 of 99
UPSC Prelims 2013 question on Public Accounts Committee
- ExamUPSC CSE
- Year2013
- PaperGeneral Studies Paper I
- SubjectPolity
- TopicParliament
- DifficultyEasy
- TypeStatement
Consider the following statements regarding the Parliamentary Committee on Public Accounts (PAC):
1. It consists of not more than 25 members of the Lok Sabha.
2. It scrutinizes appropriation and finance accounts of the Government.
3. It examines the reports of the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) of India.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Show answer
Answer: B. 2 and 3 only
Verdict
Correct Answer: 2 and 3 only
Analysis
The Public Accounts Committee is a standing financial committee of Parliament. It examines whether public money has been spent according to parliamentary approval and financial rules.
Statement by statement
1. It consists of not more than 25 members of the Lok Sabha. — Incorrect
The Public Accounts Committee has 22 members, not 25.
It consists of 15 members from the Lok Sabha and 7 members from the Rajya Sabha.
The statement is incorrect because it mentions only Lok Sabha members and gives the wrong strength.
2. It scrutinizes appropriation and finance accounts of the Government. — Correct
The committee examines the appropriation accounts and finance accounts of the Union Government.
Appropriation accounts show whether the money granted by Parliament was spent for the approved purpose.
3. It examines the reports of the Comptroller and Auditor General of India. — Correct
The Public Accounts Committee examines CAG reports related to government expenditure and accounts.
The CAG assists the committee and is often called its friend, philosopher and guide.
Extra UPSC info
* The Public Accounts Committee was first set up in 1921 under the Government of India Act, 1919.
* Its members are elected for one year by proportional representation.
* A minister cannot be elected as a member of the committee.
* By convention, the chairperson of the committee is from the Opposition and is appointed by the Speaker.
* It is the oldest of the three financial committees of Parliament.
* It does not interfere in day-to-day administration or policy decisions.
How to crack it
The Public Accounts Committee checks government expenditure through appropriation accounts, finance accounts and CAG reports, but it has 22 members, not 25.