CONTENTS - Central Public Works Department

SECTION 55
(g) As regards the Action Taken Notes pending with the Audit for vetting, the Government is
required to furnish Action Taken Notes, duly vetted by Audit, within a period of 6 months,
unless the Committee fixes another specific time limit for furnishing the replies. It will become
incumbent on the Ministry/Department concerned to seek any extension for furnishing vetted
replies as may be required thereafter, and for whatever reasons.
(3) Notwithstanding the normal limit of 6 months indicated above, in such of those cases where the
Committee desires to have a reply within a specific time limit, every endeavour should be made to
ensure that replies, duly vetted by Audit, are furnished within that time limit.
55.9 Presenting the case before the P.A.C.
(1) It has always been the practice that the Secretary to the Government in the Department concerned
invariably represents the Government in the meetings of the PAC. Generally speaking, the Secretary
to the Government is not responsible for executive functions, and accordingly he is able to take a
more objective and detached view of the transactions that the Head of the Department is able to
take. The Head of the Department, i.e. the Director General (Works) and the Chief Engineers
assist the Secretary with information whatever is considered necessary.
(2) If a particular officer who is representing the Department at the moment is not able to explain an
item of expenditure fully, the most that the Committee could do is to suggest to him that he might
obtain information from the officer who was in-charge of the work. The Committee cannot go to the
individuals, because it is the Department which is to answer.
55.10 Time limit for examination of a case by the P.A.C.
The senior Financial Officers and Members of the Public Accounts Committee fix time limits for
examination of points of each department. This time is devoted to important matters. In certain cases
they form Sub-Committees to examine the specific important points relating to a Ministry/Department
in detail.
55.11 Memorandum for P.A.C.
(1) There are, however, other matters for which Administration itself is anxious to put its point of view.
But because the time does not permit it to do so, it seeks permission to submit memoranda. These
memoranda are submitted to the P.A.C. through Audit so that the facts may be verified. On other
occasions, during the course of discussion, some points might rise about which the witness is not
particularly well informed. In that case also he is either asked by the Committee, or he himself
suggests that he would later on submit a note to the Committee explaining the point which at the
moment is not in his knowledge.
(2) In order to ensure that there is no avoidable delay in complying with Committee’s requests, highest
priority should be accorded by all concerned to supply the information desired by the Public Accounts
Committee. In case where compliance is likely to take more than a month, an interim reply apprising
the Committee of the position should invariably be sent, and such cases should be marked for
scrutiny of pending lists.
55.12 Audit Paras regarding disciplinary action taken against officers responsible for irregularities
etc.
Draft Audit Paras after acceptance by the Ministry are incorporated in the Audit Reports and these
come up for discussion in the Public Accounts Committee. The Ministry is often placed in an awkward
position if it has to tell to the PAC that the disciplinary action is under consideration. The PAC will always
insist on the finalization of departmental enquiries, and will like to know the punishment awarded. It has,
therefore, been decided that all Vigilance Officers should, with the approval of the Head of Department
etc. show them all files dealing with Draft Paras mentioning disciplinary action, and that the Vigilance
Officers should keep a close watch on the proceedings of such cases. Highest priority should be given to
the disposal of disciplinary cases mentioned in the Draft Audit Paras.
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