INTRODUCTION
The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) is a select committee of the British House of Commons. It is responsible for overseeing government expenditure and holding government departments and agencies accountable for their use of public funds. The committee examines the accounts of government departments and agencies and reports to Parliament on whether they have been properly conducted and the funds spent effectively.
The committee is made up of members of parliament from all political parties and is chaired by a senior opposition MP. The PAC has a reputation for being one of the most powerful committees in Parliament, as its findings can be highly influential in shaping government policy and the allocation of resources.
The PAC also has the power to call government officials and others to give evidence and answer questions about their use of public funds. The committee's work is supported by the National Audit Office, which provides independent analysis and reports on the use of public funds by government departments and agencies.
Overall, the Public Accounts Committee plays an important role in ensuring transparency and accountability in the use of public funds by the British government.
COMPOSITION
The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) is composed of Members of Parliament (MPs) from all political parties represented in the House of Commons. The committee has a total of 15 members, including the chair and vice-chair. The members are appointed by the House of Commons at the beginning of each parliamentary session, and their membership may change over time as MPs join or leave the committee.
The chair of the PAC is always an opposition MP, and the vice-chair is always a government MP. This ensures that the committee operates independently and is not seen as a tool of the government. The chair is elected by the members of the committee, and the vice-chair is appointed by the Speaker of the House of Commons.
The current chair of the PAC is Meg Hillier MP, who has held the position since 2015. The current vice-chair is Sir Geoffrey Clifton-Brown MP.
In addition to the 15 members of the committee, the PAC also has a number of ex-officio members. These are MPs who hold other positions that are relevant to the committee's work, such as the Chair of the Treasury Committee or the Chair of the Public Administration and Constitutional Affairs Committee. These ex-officio members do not have voting rights on the committee but may attend meetings and participate in discussions.
Overall, the composition of the Public Accounts Committee is designed to ensure that it is independent, politically balanced, and able to carry out its important role of holding the government to account for the use of public funds
FUNCTIONS
The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) has several important functions related to overseeing government expenditure and ensuring that public funds are being used effectively and efficiently. Some of the key functions of the PAC are:
- EXAMINING AUDIT REPORTS OF THE COMPTROLLER AND AUDITOR GENERAL (CAG) OF INDIA : The CAG is an independent constitutional authority responsible for auditing the accounts of the government and public sector organisations. The PAC examines the audit reports prepared by the CAG, scrutinising the findings and recommendations and making sure that the government has taken appropriate action on any issues identified.
- SCRUTINISING GOVERNMENT EXPENDITURE AND REVENUE COLLECTION : The PAC scrutinises the government's budget and expenditure plans, looking for any irregularities or discrepancies. It also examines the government's revenue collection, ensuring that taxes and other sources of income are being collected efficiently and effectively.
- EXAMINING FINANCIAL TRANSACTIONS OF THE GOVERNMENT : The PAC looks at the financial transactions of the government, with a focus on whether public money has been spent in accordance with the Parliament's authorisation and whether there has been any waste or loss of public money. This includes examining the accounts of government departments and agencies, as well as the annual reports of autonomous and semi-autonomous bodies.
- CALLING GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS AND MINISTERS FOR QUESTIONING : The PAC has the power to call government officials and ministers for questioning, demanding papers and documents related to financial transactions, and recommending remedial measures to improve financial management. This allows the committee to hold government officials accountable for their actions and to ensure that public funds are being used in an appropriate manner.
- EXAMINING ACCOUNTS OF AUTONOMOUS AND SEMI-AUTONOMOUS BODIES : The PAC also examines the annual accounts of autonomous and semi-autonomous bodies, such as the Reserve Bank of India, and other statutory corporations. This helps to ensure that these bodies are operating in a financially responsible manner and that public funds are being used effectively.
Overall, the functions of the PAC are critical to ensuring that the government is held accountable for its use of public funds and that financial management is conducted in a transparent and responsible manner. By examining audit reports, scrutinising government expenditure and revenue collection, examining financial transactions, calling officials for questioning, and examining the accounts of other bodies, the PAC plays a crucial role in ensuring that public funds are used in the best interests of the people of India.
ROLE
The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) plays a crucial role in holding the government accountable for financial irregularities and ensuring that public money is spent in a transparent and accountable manner. Some of the key roles of the PAC are:
- HOLDING THE GOVERNMENT ACCOUNTABLE FOR FINANCIAL IRREGULARITIES : The PAC examines audit reports prepared by the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) and scrutinises the government's expenditure and revenue collection to ensure that public funds are being used in a responsible manner. If any financial irregularities are identified, the PAC has the power to call government officials and ministers for questioning and recommend remedial measures.
- ENSURING TRANSPARENCY AND ACCOUNTABILITY IN FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT : The PAC serves as an important check on the executive's financial powers, ensuring that public money is spent in a transparent and accountable manner. By scrutinising the use of public funds and recommending corrective measures, the PAC helps to improve financial management and ensure that the government is accountable to the people of India.
- MAKING RECOMMENDATIONS FOR IMPROVING FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT : The PAC plays an important role in making recommendations for improving financial management across the government. By examining audit reports and other financial documents, the committee can identify areas where improvements can be made and recommend changes to policies, procedures, and systems.
- PROMOTING GOOD GOVERNANCE : The PAC promotes good governance by ensuring that public money is being used in a responsible and accountable manner. By holding the government accountable for its financial management, the PAC helps to build trust between the government and the people of India and promote transparency and accountability in all areas of government.
Overall, the role of the PAC is critical to ensuring that public money is used effectively and efficiently, and that the government is held accountable for its financial management. By serving as an important check on the executive's financial powers and promoting transparency and accountability, the PAC helps to promote good governance and build trust between the government and the people of India.
CONCLUSION
In conclusion, the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) plays a critical role in ensuring that public money is used in a transparent and accountable manner by scrutinising the government's expenditure and revenue collection. The PAC examines audit reports prepared by the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) and has the power to call government officials and ministers for questioning and recommend remedial measures if any financial irregularities are identified. By promoting good governance, transparency, and accountability, the PAC helps to build trust between the government and the people of India. Overall, the PAC plays a vital role in holding the government accountable for financial irregularities and ensuring that public money is spent in the best interests of the people of India.