The Parliamentary body, the Public Accounts Committee (PAC), has hit an important milestone by completing 100 years of doing its duties. PAC, along with the Estimates Committee and the Committee on Public Undertakings, forms a trio of Financial Parliamentary committees. Their operation is empowered by Article 105 and Article 118 of the Constitution, which outline privileges of Parliament members and the Parliament’s authority to regulate its procedure and conduct of business.
Understanding the Public Accounts Committee
The inception of the Public Accounts Committee dates back to 1921 following the Government of India Act, 1919 also known as Montford Reforms. Currently, the committee is constituted annually under Rule 308 of the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in Lok Sabha.
The Chairman of the PAC is appointed by the Lok Sabha Speaker. However, it must be noted that despite being a significant part of the parliamentary system, the PAC possesses an advisory role rather than executive powers.
The PAC is made up of 22 members, including 15 appointed by the Lok Sabha Speaker and 7 by the Rajya Sabha Chairman. The Members serve a tenure of one year only.
Responsibilities and Goals of the PAC
The main objective of establishing the PAC was to ensure the proper use of funds granted to the government by the Parliament. In addition to examining the accounts and financial affairs of the government and other House-related accounts, the committee also reviews various audit reports presented by the Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG) concerning revenue receipts, expenditure by different Ministries/Departments of the government, and accounts of autonomous bodies.
The Significance of Parliamentary Committees
Parliamentary Committees provide a platform for addressing complex topics that require technical expertise. They enable members to interact with domain experts and government officials to gain a deeper understanding of particular study matter.
In addition, Committees serve as a venue for fostering consensus among political parties. They facilitate closed-door meetings that allow members to freely discuss and question issues, thereby enhancing policy examination in the respective ministries.
Issues Arising from Non-involvement of Committees
Overlooking or bypassing Parliamentary committees in the passing of significant legislation can weaken the democratic system. In the Indian system, there isn’t a mandatory requirement for bills to be sent to committees. This discretionary power bestowed upon the Chair could potentially result in a weakened system, especially in a Lok Sabha dominated by a single ruling party.
The Way Forward
A key aspect of a healthy democracy is a functioning Parliament that responsibly checks the work of the government. For legislation of quality, thorough scrutiny of bills is imperative. The lack of involvement of parliamentary committees in passing legislations not only undermines the democratic spirit but also compromises the quality of the legislation. Therefore, proper engagement and utilization of such committees are essential in maintaining the democratic equilibrium.
Last Modified: February 14, 2024