Consider the following statements: The Parliamentary Committee on Public Accounts 1. Consists of not more than 25 Members of the Lok Sabha 2. Scrutinizes appropriations and finance accounts of the Government 3. Examines the report of the Comptroller and Auditor General of India Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) consists of 22 members, not 25. Specifically, it includes 15 members from the Lok Sabha and 7 members from the Rajya Sabha [4]. Therefore, statement 1 is incorrect. The primary function of the PAC is to examine the appropriation accounts and the finance accounts of the Union government [2]. These accounts, along with the audit reports of the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG), are laid before Parliament and subsequently scrutinized by the committee [4]. The CAG submits three specific reports—on appropriation accounts, finance accounts, and public undertakings—which serve as the basis for the PAC's examination [3]. The committee's role is to ensure that public money is spent legally and with prudence, wisdom, and economy [2]. Thus, statements 2 and 3 are correct.

Sources

1. [4] Introduction to the Constitution of India, D. D. Basu (26th ed.). > Chapter 12: The Union Legislature > p. 260
2. [1] Laxmikanth, M. Indian Polity. 7th ed., McGraw Hill. > Chapter 24: Parliamentary Committees > Pa rlia menta ry Committees > p. 272
3. [2] Indian Polity, M. Laxmikanth(7th ed.) > Chapter 24: Parliamentary Committees > Pa rlia menta ry Committees > p. 272
4. [3] Indian Polity, M. Laxmikanth(7th ed.) > Chapter 52: Comptroller and Auditor General of India > ROLE > p. 446