Estimate Committee

Source: FPJ

Context: Lok Sabha Speaker inaugurated the National Conference of Estimates Committees in Mumbai to commemorate 75 years of the Parliamentary Estimates Committee.

About Estimate Committee:

• What it is? A key financial oversight committee of the Parliament of India that examines how government funds are allocated and spent, ensuring economy, efficiency, and accountability.

• A key financial oversight committee of the Parliament of India that examines how government funds are allocated and spent, ensuring economy, efficiency, and accountability.

• Established in: 1950, post-Constitution, under the Rules of Procedure of Lok Sabha.

• Members: Consists of 30 Members of Parliament (Lok Sabha) but Ministers are excluded.

• Selection Process: Members are elected annually by Lok Sabha members, through proportional representation by means of a single transferable vote. The Chairperson is appointed by the Lok Sabha Speaker.

• The Chairperson is appointed by the Lok Sabha Speaker.

• Term: One-year term and term are renewable in nature

• Key Functions Review government estimates: Examines how money is allocated and suggests reforms for economy and efficiency. Recommend policy improvements: Proposes alternative policies for better public administration and budget management. Evaluate spending efficacy: Assesses whether public funds are being spent effectively as per approved policies. Suggest improvements in presentation: Recommends ways to improve how budget estimates are presented in Parliament. Exclusions: Does not review Public Undertakings—covered by a separate committee.

• Review government estimates: Examines how money is allocated and suggests reforms for economy and efficiency.

• Recommend policy improvements: Proposes alternative policies for better public administration and budget management.

• Evaluate spending efficacy: Assesses whether public funds are being spent effectively as per approved policies.

• Suggest improvements in presentation: Recommends ways to improve how budget estimates are presented in Parliament.

• Exclusions: Does not review Public Undertakings—covered by a separate committee.

• Working Process: Committee selects estimates from Ministries/Departments/statutory bodies for scrutiny. Calls for information from government and non-official sources. Conducts Study Visits (on-ground assessments) with prior approval. Holds formal evidence sessions at Parliament. Publishes Reports to Lok Sabha with findings and recommendations. Government must respond within six months via Action Taken Reports (ATR).

• Committee selects estimates from Ministries/Departments/statutory bodies for scrutiny.

• Calls for information from government and non-official sources.

• Conducts Study Visits (on-ground assessments) with prior approval.

• Holds formal evidence sessions at Parliament.

• Publishes Reports to Lok Sabha with findings and recommendations.

• Government must respond within six months via Action Taken Reports (ATR).

• Achievements: Since inception in 1950, the Committee has presented 1184 reports: 656 Original Reports 528 Action Taken Reports Covered almost all major Ministries and Departments. Contributed significantly to strengthening financial oversight and promoting fiscal accountability.

• Since inception in 1950, the Committee has presented 1184 reports: 656 Original Reports 528 Action Taken Reports

• 656 Original Reports

• 528 Action Taken Reports

• Covered almost all major Ministries and Departments.

• Contributed significantly to strengthening financial oversight and promoting fiscal accountability.