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રાજ્યવ્યવસ્થા અને શાસનGS2
GS2

Public Accounts Committee Oversight and Bureaucratic Accountability

Source:The Hindu ↗

આ શા માટે મહત્વનું છે

This development deals directly with the institutional authority and enforcement powers of parliamentary committees, specifically financial committees like the PAC, in ensuring executive accountability and administrative compliance.

સારાંશ

Congress leader K.C. Venugopal has demanded strict action against the Chief Secretaries of six States for failing to attend a meeting of the Public Accounts Committee (PAC), raising questions on executive accountability and the powers of parliamentary financial committees.

મુખ્ય મુદ્દા

  • Congress leader and PAC member K.C. Venugopal sought action against the Chief Secretaries of six States for skipping a Public Accounts Committee hearing.
  • The PAC was examining the implementation of flagship central schemes, but top state bureaucrats failed to appear before the panel.
  • This highlights tensions regarding legislative oversight, federal accountability, and the powers of parliamentary committees over state administrative officials.

મહત્વપૂર્ણ શબ્દો

Public Accounts Committee

A key parliamentary financial standing committee that examines CAG audit reports to ensure accountability, transparency, and propriety in government spending and revenue.

UPSC context

GS Paper II (Indian Polity — Parliament and Parliamentary Committees). Tests understanding of legislative oversight, financial accountability, and control over the executive.

Source
Executive Accountability

The foundational principle requiring the executive branch of government to be answerable to the legislature and citizens for its administrative actions, policy implementation, and financial management.

UPSC context

GS Paper II (Polity — Organs of State, Separation of Powers). Essential for questions on checks and balances between the legislature and executive.

Source

સંલગ્ન સ્થિર ખ્યાલો

Indian Polity and Governance

What are the key powers and limitations of the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) in Indian Parliament?

  • CAG Scrutiny: Examines CAG reports on appropriation and finance accounts of the Union government.
  • Composition: Consists of 22 members (15 Lok Sabha, 7 Rajya Sabha) elected through proportional representation.
  • Limitations: Cannot question policy or intervene in day-to-day administrative matters; acts post-mortem.

આંતર-વિષય પેટર્ન

  • PAC Oversight vs. Indian Federalism

    When central financial panels summon state bureaucrats, it triggers questions on federal balance and administrative jurisdiction under Article 246.

PAC powers to summon state bureaucrats vs. executive accountability will feature in Polity statements.

સંલગ્ન PYQ · 3

સંલગ્ન PYQ · 3

  • 2017MainsGS2

    Discuss the role of Public Accounts Committee in establishing accountability of the government to the people.

  • 2023MainsGS2

    Explain the structure of the Parliamentary Committee system. How far have the financial committees helped in the institutionalisation of Indian Parliament?

  • 2021MainsGS2

    Do Department-related Parliamentary Standing Committees keep the administration on its toes and inspire reverence for parliamentary control? Evaluate the working of such committees with suitable examples.