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7 August 2026

PAC grills Defence Ministry on payment delays

The topic highlights the functional role of the Public Accounts Committee and the CAG in ensuring parliamentary oversight and accountability in public fund utilization, which are core themes in the GS2 syllabus.

1 min read 2 questions 1 prelims

Notes

  • The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) is examining a CAG report regarding payment disbursement delays for junior commissioned officers within the Defence Ministry.
  • The audit covered the Principal Controller of Defence Accounts (Officers) and 46 Pay and Accounts Offices, managing ₹3,09,975.07 crore between 2020-21 and 2022-23.
  • Key findings include an average processing time of 68-80 days for payments and over six lakh manual rejections without recorded reasons.
  • 50,646 personnel were denied Risk and Hardship Allowance due to untracked rejected orders.
  • Military hospital audits (2017-18 to 2021-22) revealed structural safety lapses, including a building collapse in Lansdowne and the operation of X-ray machines without radiation safety licences.
  • Medicine supply chain issues: audited depots met only 27% to 43% of hospital demand, necessitating costlier local procurement.
  • The Ministry is implementing corrective measures, including a new IT integration module and a draft Cabinet Committee on Security note for hospital modernisation.

Questions

  1. Discuss the role of the Public Accounts Committee in ensuring financial accountability and administrative efficiency in the functioning of the Ministry of Defence. 150 words
    Attempt this — 150 words in 8 min
    0 / 150 words 8:00
  2. The Comptroller and Auditor-General (CAG) plays a critical role in highlighting systemic inefficiencies in public service delivery. In light of recent audit findings regarding defence personnel welfare and infrastructure, examine the challenges in institutionalising accountability within the defence sector. 250 words
    Attempt this — 250 words in 11 min
    0 / 250 words 11:00

Prelims

  1. Which of the following bodies is primarily responsible for examining the audit reports of the Comptroller and Auditor-General (CAG) to ensure financial accountability of the executive?

Syllabus

Topics

Sources

250words.in · https://250words.in/daily/2026-08-07/pac-grills-defence-ministry-on-payment-delays