Public Accounts Committee (PAC): Role, Significance and Recent Developments

Recently, the first meeting of the reconstituted Public Accounts Committee (PAC) for 2026–27 was held under the chairmanship of K. C. Venugopal. Differences emerged regarding the Committee taking up certain subjects for examination suo motu (on its own initiative).

About the Public Accounts Committee (PAC)

• The Public Accounts Committee is the oldest parliamentary committee in India, established in 1921. 
• It is constituted every year. 
• The Chairperson of the Committee is appointed by the Speaker of the Lok Sabha from among its members. 
• In 1967–68, for the first time, the Speaker appointed a member of the Opposition as the Chairperson of the Committee. 
• Its primary objective is to examine the receipts and expenditure of the Government of India and ensure that public funds are utilized in a legal, transparent, and efficient manner. 

Functions of the Public Accounts Committee (PAC)

• The Committee examines audit reports of the Comptroller and Auditor General of India related to government expenditure. 
• It ensures that funds approved by Parliament have been utilized for their intended purposes. 
• It investigates financial irregularities, fiscal losses, procedural violations, and inefficiencies in government expenditure. 

Composition of the Committee

• The Public Accounts Committee consists of 22 members, including 15 members from Lok Sabha and 7 members from Rajya Sabha. 
• The Chairperson is a member of the Lok Sabha and, by convention, this position is usually given to a member of the Opposition. 
• The tenure of members is one year. 
• No minister can become a member of the Public Accounts Committee. 

Reconstituted PAC Meeting and Recent Controversy

Recently, the reconstituted PAC for 2026–27 held its meeting, during which differences emerged over the Committee taking up certain subjects for examination suo motu.

• The subjects considered by the Committee included policy reforms in the banking, insurance, and energy sectors. 
• A BJP Member of Parliament objected to the Committee taking up these subjects on its own initiative. 
• However, Committee Chairperson K. C. Venugopal cited previous precedents and stated that during the tenure of Murli Manohar Joshi, the Committee had also taken up subjects suo motu for consideration. 
• The Chairperson clarified that deciding which subjects should be examined is the prerogative of the Committee. 
• The Public Accounts Committee is an important parliamentary committee that examines reports of the Comptroller and Auditor General of India and presents its findings and reports before Parliament.