INDIAN POLITY (PART-6)

• The Parliamentary Committees such as Estimates Committee, Public Accounts Committee, and Public Sector Undertakings Committee supervise the activities of the Union Executive on behalf of the Parliament.
• Estimates Committee was set up in April 1950. It Consists 30 members from Lok Sabha. The term of office of the members is 1 year. The Chairman of the Committee is appointed by the speaker of the Lok Sabha. If the Deputy Speaker is member of the committee the speaker appoints him as chairman. The functions of the committee include- giving suggestions in regard to the economies in expenditure, examining the distribution of public funds, examining the estimates of Union Ministry etc.
• Public Accounts Committee was set up in 1921. It consist 22 members (15 from Lok Sabha and 7 from Rajya Sabha). Since 1967, the chairman of the committee is selected from the opposition. The functions of the Committee include- examining the report of the Comptroller and Auditor General of India, examining the distribution of public funds, bringing the loss in public expenditure to the notice of the Parliament, examining the tax evasion, excess expenditure incurred by a Ministry etc.
• Public Undertakings Committee was set up in 1963. It consists of 22 members (15 from Lok Sabha and 7 from Rajya Sabha). 1/5 of the members retire every year. One of the members of the committee is appointed as chairman by the Speaker.