Which of the following is a right characteristic of the composition of the Public Accounts Committee?
Public Accounts Committee is an annually elected body in accordance with the principle of the proportional representation followed by single transferable vote system
Understanding the Public Accounts Committee Composition
The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) is a significant parliamentary committee in India. Its primary role is to examine the audit report of the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) on the expenditure of the Government of India. Understanding its composition and how its members are chosen is crucial for comprehending its functioning.
Composition of the Public Accounts Committee
Let's look at the composition and election process of the Public Accounts Committee to evaluate the given options.
- The PAC consists of 22 members.
- These 22 members are drawn from both Houses of Parliament: 15 members from the Lok Sabha (House of the People) and 7 members from the Rajya Sabha (Council of States).
- Members are elected annually from amongst the members of each respective House.
- The election is held in accordance with the principle of proportional representation by means of the single transferable vote system. This method ensures that different parties get representation in the committee roughly in proportion to their strength in Parliament.
- A minister cannot be elected as a member of the Public Accounts Committee.
- The term of office of the members is one year.
- Members are eligible for re-election.
- The Chairperson of the committee is appointed by the Speaker of the Lok Sabha. By convention since 1967, the Chairperson is usually appointed from the opposition party.
Analyzing the Given Options
Let's examine each statement provided as an option:
Option 1: Public Accounts Committee is composed of only Laksabha members.
This statement is incorrect. As mentioned above, the PAC includes members from both the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha (15 from Lok Sabha and 7 from Rajya Sabha).
Option 2: Public Accounts Committee is an annually elected body in accordance with the principle of the proportional representation followed by single transferable vote system
This statement accurately describes the election process of the Public Accounts Committee. Members are indeed elected annually using proportional representation and the single transferable vote system from both Houses of Parliament.
Option 3: Public Accounts Committee is composed of 30 (Thirty) members.
This statement is incorrect. The total number of members in the Public Accounts Committee is 22, not 30. (15 from Lok Sabha + 7 from Rajya Sabha).
Option 4: No member can be re-elected to the Public Accounts Committee.
This statement is incorrect. Members of the Public Accounts Committee are eligible for re-election for subsequent terms.
Based on the analysis, Option 2 correctly describes a characteristic of the composition and election of the Public Accounts Committee.
Key Features Summary: Public Accounts Committee
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Total Members | 22 |
| Lok Sabha Members | 15 |
| Rajya Sabha Members | 7 |
| Election Frequency | Annually |
| Election Method | Proportional Representation by Single Transferable Vote |
| Eligibility for Minister | Not eligible |
| Term Length | 1 year |
| Re-election | Allowed |
Revision Table: Public Accounts Committee
| Aspect | Detail |
|---|---|
| Purpose | Examines CAG's audit reports |
| Membership Origin | Both Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha |
| Chairperson Appointment | By Speaker of Lok Sabha |
| Chairperson Convention | Usually from opposition |
Additional Information: Parliamentary Committees
Parliamentary Committees play a vital role in the legislative process and parliamentary scrutiny. They help in detailed consideration of matters that are difficult to discuss at length on the floor of the House.
- Types of Committees: Parliamentary Committees can be broadly classified into Standing Committees (permanent) and Ad Hoc Committees (temporary).
- Financial Committees: The Public Accounts Committee is one of the three main Financial Committees, along with the Estimates Committee and the Committee on Public Undertakings. These committees scrutinize government expenditure and financial administration.
- Importance: Committees provide a platform for detailed debate, expert consultation, and non-partisan examination of issues, improving the quality of legislation and governmental accountability.
Important Questions from Governance and Public Policy in India
Arrange the following committees with regards to corruption and administrative reforms in India chronologically
A. Gorwala committee
B. First Administrative Reforms Commission
C. Vohra committee
D. Shanthanam Committee
Which of the following statements is/are not correct regarding the ICT based e-governance?
A. E-governance reduces the cost of government.
B. E-governance reduces the transparency of government.
C. E-governance increases citizen's input into government.
D. E-governance increases bureaucratic red tapism.
Given below are two statements: one is labelled as Assertion A and the other is labelled as Reason R
Assertion A: It is plausible to think that autonomy involves a kind of skill that individuals must develop, exercise and maintain. This ongoing process of planning and managing is not automatic but requires efforts and resources that are secured by social and material conditions provided by the state.
Reason R: However, the commitment to individual autonomy cannot force the liberal state to provide the social and material conditions by which citizens could come to be autonomous. It must depend on the individuals to strive independently for achieving their autonomy
In the light of the above statements, choose the most appropriate answer from the options given below.
Citizens’ charter was first articulated and implemented in UK as a national programme in which year?
What is the importance of police public relations in administrative law?
