What role does the Public Accounts Committee play in holding the executive accountable for fiscal governance? Evaluate its effectiveness in addressing issues of fiscal prudence and expenditure control. Suggest ways to improve parliamentary scrutiny of public finance.

Topic: Parliament and State Legislatures – structure, functioning, conduct of business, powers & privileges and issues arising out of these.

 Q4. What role does the Public Accounts Committee play in holding the executive accountable for fiscal governance? Evaluate its effectiveness in addressing issues of fiscal prudence and expenditure control. Suggest ways to improve parliamentary scrutiny of public finance. (15 M)

Difficulty Level: Medium

Reference: TH

Why the question
Public Accounts Committee tells DGCA to hold a complete safety audit of all aircraft

Key Demand of the question
The question requires a discussion on the PAC’s role in holding the executive fiscally accountable, an evaluation of its strengths and limitations in promoting fiscal discipline, and suggestions to improve broader parliamentary scrutiny of public finance.

Structure of the Answer:

Introduction
Briefly introduce PAC as a parliamentary financial oversight tool ensuring lawful and efficient use of public money based on CAG reports.

Body

• Explain PAC’s role in enforcing fiscal accountability post CAG audits, legislative control, and summoning ministries.
• Evaluate both effectiveness and limitations of PAC in addressing fiscal prudence and expenditure inefficiency.
• Suggest institutional, procedural, and technological reforms to enhance PAC’s oversight of public finance.

Conclusion
End with a solution-oriented thought on empowering PAC structurally and technologically to make it a proactive fiscal watchdog.