QUESTION 5
GS2
10 marks
Discuss the role of Public Accounts Committee in establishing accountability of the government to the people.
WRITE IN
7 min
150 words
What the examiner wants
Discuss how the PAC holds the executive accountable for public spending.
DiscussExplain the different sides of the issue, use evidence, and finish with a balanced view.
Demand-wise check
- 1Composition: 22 members (15 Lok Sabha, 7 Rajya Sabha), one-year term; chair from opposition by convention since 1967≈30 words
- 2Role: examines CAG audit reports and appropriation accounts, checks irregular spending, seeks action taken reports≈30 words
- 3Accountability chain: Parliament → PAC → CAG → executive; informs citizens≈30 words
- 4Limits: post-mortem, recommendations not binding, no role in policy, party lines, delay≈30 words
Open in about 20 words and close in about 20.
Answer plan
CompositionFunctionsLink to citizens' accountabilityLimitationsReformsConclusion
Where marks usually go
- Mixing PAC with Estimates Committee
- Not linking to accountability 'to the people'
Draw this
- Flow: CAG report → PAC → report to Parliament → Action Taken Report
Value addition
- FactThe PAC was first set up in 1921 under the Montagu-Chelmsford reforms; since 1967 its chair has come from the opposition.Lok Sabha Secretariat
- ThinkerThe CAG is called the 'friend, philosopher and guide' of the PAC.Parliamentary practice
Next: plan for one minute, write it in 7 minutes, then get it checked.