Public Accounts Committee (PAC) meeting
Recently, the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) meeting of the Parliament has set its agenda for the next year.
Due to lack of consensus on the subject of ‘Vaccine Production and Distribution’ this year, the Public Accounts Committee has not included it in this year’s agenda.
It may be noted that, unless there is a consensus among all the members of the committee on any subject, that subject cannot be discussed.
Public Accounts Committee(PAC)
- The Public Accounts Committee is constituted annually. The maximum number of members in this committee is 22, out of which fifteen members are elected from the LokSabha and seven from the RajyaSabha. The term of the members is 1
- The chairman of the committee is appointed by the Speaker of the LokSabha. Since 1967, the chairman of the committee is selected from amongst the members of the opposition party.
- The main function of this committee is to get the audit report of the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) placed in the Parliament and then examines it.
Historical Background:
The Public Accounts Committee is the oldest among the committees of the House. The first Public Accounts Committee was formed in the year 1921 under the Montagu-Chelmsford Reforms.
Limitations of Public Accounts Committee:
- In general, it cannot interfere with policy questions.
- It can monitor these expenses only after they are incurred. It does not vest any power to limit expenditure.
- It cannot interfere in the day-to-day affairs of administration.
- The recommendations given by it are only advisory. These recommendations can be ignored by the ministries.
- For this, the departments do not have the power to stop expenditure.
- It is only an executive body and has no power to issue any orders. Only the Parliament can take the final decision on its findings.
Source – PIB
