Constitutional, Non-Constitutional Bodies - Pt. II

1. What is CAG?

Constitution provides for the office of Comptroller and Auditor General under Article 148-151

2. Who appoints CAG?

President from persons having long administrative and knowledge of accounts

3. Who determines the salary of CAG?

Parliament. He paid salary equivalent to Judge of Supreme Court. On retirement he is eligible for annual pension.

4. After retirement CAG is disqualified for appointment under which government?

Union or state government

5. What is the restriction of CAG?

No control over issue of money from Consolidated Fund of India or state

6. What is Consolidated Fund of India?

Mentioned in Article 266a. This fund contains revenues and receipts of government. All expenses from it is authorized by appropriation bill

7. What is Public Account of India?

Mentioned in Article 266b. In this account public money is put in and government acts only as banker.

8. What is Contingency Fund of India?

Mentioned in Article 267. Kept at disposal of the President to meet unforeseen expenses. It is opened by Secretary Ministry of Finance on behalf of the President.

9. What is Parliamentary Committee?

They are of two kinds Standing Committee and Ad Hoc Committee. The former are permanent constituted every year or periodically and work on continuous basis while the later are temporary and cease to exist on completion of their task.

10. What is Public Accounts Committee?

Setup under provisions of Government of India Act 1919. It contains 22 members (15 from Lok Sabha and 7 from Rajya Sabha). Function of committee is to examine annual audit reports of Comptroller and Auditor General of India

11. What is Estimate Committee?

Setup in 1921 it has 30 members selected from Lok Sabha only. Chairman is appointed by Speaker. Function is to examine estimates in budget and suggest Economics in public expenses. Hence it is called as “Continuous Economy Committee”.

12. What is Committee on Public Undertakings?

Setup in 1964 on recommendation of Krishna Menon Committee. It has 22 members (15 from Lok Sabha and 7 from Rajya Sabha). Function is to examine reports and accounts of public undertakings (can also check reports of public undertakings of CAG).

13. What do you know about National Development Council?

Created on 6th august, 1952. It is a non constitutional body and formed for economic planning and maintaining cooperation between Planning Commission and states. Prime Minister is the ex officio chairman of council. Secretary of Planning Commission is the Secretary of Council. Members of the council are Chief Ministers of states, all members of council of ministers, administrators of union territories and all members of Planning Commission. This council is also called Super Cabinet by Sri K Santhamam. Its functions are monitoring of national planning from time to time and reviewing the social and economic policies affecting the masses.

14. What do you know about Interstate Council?

It is a constitutional body formed by the President. It is mentioned in article 263. The main functions of the council are to maintain coordination between centre and states by advising on disputes between centre and states etc. It acts as an advisory committee. The chairman is the Prime Minister.

15. What are the conditions of office of CAG?

Following are them:

- He holds office for 6yrs or 65yrs whichever is earlier.

- Resigns by addressing to President.

- President can remove him on same ground and manner as judge of Supreme Court.

- President can remove him with special majority in Parliament.

16. What are the roles of CAG?

They are:

- Guardian of public purse

- Officer of Parliament and called “ears and eyes” of Public Accounts Committee

- Audit transactions related to Consolidated Fund, Contingency Fund, Public Account Fund of Union and State Government

- Audits balance sheet, PL accounts of Union and State Government

- Any authority or person can be audited by him on request of President or Governor

- Submits accounts of Union to President who places it before Parliament (Article 151)