With reference to Public Accounts Committee, which of the following statements is/are correct?

Question

With reference to Public Accounts Committee, which of the following statements is/are correct?

1. Public Accounts Committee submits its report to the Lok Sabha.

2. Public Accounts Committee consists of 15 members from Rajya Sabha.

Select the correct answer from the code given below:

1. A. Both 1 and 2
2. B. Neither 1 nor 2
3. C. Only 2
4. D. Only 1 (Correct answer)

Correct Answer

Option D — Only 1

Detailed Solution & Explanation

The correct answer is Only 1.

Key Points

• Statement 1 is correct. The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) submits its report to the Lok Sabha (the Speaker).
• Statement 2 is incorrect. The PAC has 22 members — 15 from the Lok Sabha and 7 from the Rajya Sabha, not 15 from the Rajya Sabha.
• Only the first is right, giving option (d).

Additional Information

• The PAC was set up in 1921 under the Government of India Act, 1919, making it the oldest financial committee of Parliament.
• Members are elected annually by proportional representation by single transferable vote; a Minister cannot be a member. By convention since 1967, the Chairman is from the Opposition.
• The PAC examines the audit report of the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) after it is laid before Parliament — which is why the CAG is called the "friend, philosopher and guide" of the PAC.
• The three financial committees and their strength:
  • Public Accounts Committee — 22 (15 LS + 7 RS)
  • Estimates Committee — 30 (all from Lok Sabha only)
  • Committee on Public Undertakings — 22 (15 LS + 7 RS)