CAPF AC 2020 Q108: Indian Polity – Parliament & State Legislatures
Which one of the following statements regarding Public Accounts Committee is correct?
- (a) It consists of fifteen members from Lok Sabha and seven members from Rajya Sabha
- (b) It consists of twenty members from Lok Sabha and ten members from Rajya Sabha
- (c) The term of members of Public Accounts Committee is five years
- (d) Finance Minister is the Chairperson of the Public Accounts Committee
Answer: (a) It consists of fifteen members from Lok Sabha and seven members from Rajya Sabha
Explanation
Public Accounts Committee
How to think: remember 22 = 15 + 7.
Then check the other options against two more facts: the term is one year, and no Minister can be a member.
| Option | Verdict | Fact |
|---|---|---|
| (a) Fifteen from Lok Sabha and seven from Rajya Sabha | Correct | Total 22 members |
| (b) Twenty from Lok Sabha and ten from Rajya Sabha | Incorrect | No committee has this make-up; the Estimates Committee has 30, all from the Lok Sabha |
| (c) Term of members is five years | Incorrect | The term is one year |
| (d) Finance Minister is the Chairperson | Incorrect | A Minister cannot be a member |
Facts on the Committee:
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Set up | 1921, under the Government of India Act, 1919 |
| Elected by | Proportional representation, single transferable vote |
| Chairperson | Appointed by the Speaker; by convention from the Opposition since 1967 |
| Job | Examines the audit reports of the CAG |
Answer: (a) It consists of fifteen members from Lok Sabha and seven members from Rajya Sabha.
Why each option is right or wrong
- (a) CORRECT. The Committee has 22 members: 15 from the Lok Sabha and 7 from the Rajya Sabha.
- (b) Incorrect. Twenty and ten is not the make-up of the Public Accounts Committee.
- (c) Incorrect. Members are elected for one year, not five.
- (d) Incorrect. A Minister cannot even be a member, let alone the Chairperson.
Key point
Public Accounts Committee: 22 members (15 Lok Sabha + 7 Rajya Sabha), one-year term, no Minister, Chairperson from the Opposition by convention, examines CAG reports; set up in 1921.
Remember
Public Accounts Committee: 15 + 7 = 22, one year, no Minister.
Common mistakes
- Mixing up its strength with the Estimates Committee (30, all from the Lok Sabha).
- Giving the members a five-year term.
- Thinking the Finance Minister heads it; Ministers are barred.
Exam tip
Educated guess: a committee that checks the Government's spending cannot be led by the Finance Minister. That kills (d) at once.
Sources
- Lok Sabha Secretariat — Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in Lok Sabha (Committee on Public Accounts)
- M. Laxmikanth — Indian Polity, chapter on Parliamentary Committees