Which one of the following is the largest Committee of the Parliament?
- The Committee on Public Accounts
- The Committee on Estimates
- The Committee on Public Undertakings
- The Committee on Petitions
Explanation
Option (b) is correct
- It assesses potential economies, organisational improvements, and reforms.
- Number of Members: 30 (LS); Tenure: 1 year.
- Elected by Lok Sabha.
- A Minister is not eligible for election to this committee.
- Functions:
- Propose alternative policies for efficiency and economy.
- Review expenditures against policy limits.
- Recommend presentation format for estimates.
Option (a) is incorrect
- It examines accounts related to the appropriation of funds and other financial statements.
- Number of Members: 22 (15LS+7RS); Tenure: 1 year.
- Elected by the two House(s).
- A Minister is not eligible for election to this committee.
- Functions:
- The Committee’s primary responsibility is to determine if the funds allocated by Parliament have been utilised by the Government within the defined scope of the Demand.
- The examination is primarily based on the Government of India’s Appropriation Accounts and Audit Reports from the CAG.
- Review accounts of state corporations, autonomous bodies, and semi-autonomous entities.
- The Committee does not address policy issues but focuses solely on the implementation and outcomes of policies set by Parliament.
Option (c) is incorrect
- It oversees the management and financial operations of Public Undertakings.
- Number of Members: 22 (15LS+7RS); Tenure: 1 year.
- Elected by the two House(s).
- A Minister is not eligible for election to this committee.
- Functions:
- Review reports and accounts of Public Undertakings.
- Scrutinise reports from the Comptroller and Auditor General.
- Evaluate management practices.
- Perform additional functions as assigned by the Speaker.
- The Committee does not, however, examine matters of major Government policy and matters of day-to-day administration of the Undertakings.
Option (d) is incorrect
- No. of Members – 15
- Tenure: Not fixed. Can continue in office till reconstituted.
- The members are nominated by the Speaker, Lok Sabha.
- Review and report on petitions presented to the House. It also considers representations from individuals, associations, etc., that fall outside the rules for petitions and provides directions for their resolution.
