Topic: Parliament and State Legislatures – structure, functioning,
Q4. The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) has been more successful in exposing systemic lapses than in enforcing corrective measures. Discuss. (15 M)
Difficulty Level: Medium
Reference: TH
Why the question
Recent directions by the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) to telecom providers over poor rural connectivity highlight its role in exposing lapses, but also the limitations in ensuring compliance, making the issue contemporary and relevant.Key demand of the question
The question demands a critical discussion of PAC’s effectiveness—showing how it excels in identifying systemic lapses but struggles in enforcing corrective measures, and suggesting improvements.Structure of the Answer:
Introduction
Briefly mention PAC as Parliament’s financial watchdog rooted in CAG reports and its relevance to accountability.
Body
- Success in exposing systemic lapses: Audit findings, systemic inefficiencies, recent telecom oversight, transparency, reforms triggered.
- Limitations in enforcing corrective measures: Advisory role, ATR delays, political resistance, lack of sanctioning power, expertise gaps.
- Way forward: Stronger follow-up, Parliamentary Budget Office, PPP scrutiny, digital compliance tracking, global best practices.
Conclusion
Conclude with the need to strengthen PAC’s enforcement capacity to make it not only an exposer of lapses but a driver of systemic reform.
