UPSC Mains Answer: Why do you think the committees are considered to be useful for parliamentary work? Discuss, in this context, the role of the Estimates Committee.

Difficulty Level: Medium

Pre-requisite: Foundational understanding of the Indian parliamentary system, including: - The structure and functions of Parliament (Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha).
- The role of financial committees (e.g., Public Accounts Committee, Committee on Public Undertakings).

Sub-category: Polity and Governance: Parliament and State Legislatures – Structure, Functioning, Conduct of Busine

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Committees are indispensable to the efficient functioning of Parliament, as they enable detailed scrutiny, expert analysis, and non-partisan deliberation on complex legislative and financial matters. By decentralising parliamentary work, committees enhance productivity, ensure accountability, and foster informed decision-making—tasks that are impractical to accomplish in the plenary due to time constraints and political dynamics.
The Estimates Committee, comprising 30 Lok Sabha members, plays a pivotal role in this framework. It examines the budgetary estimates of the government to assess whether public funds are being utilised economically, efficiently, and in alignment with policy objectives. Unlike the Public Accounts Committee, which scrutinises past expenditures, the Estimates Committee focuses on prospective financial proposals, suggesting reforms to improve fiscal management. Its recommendations, though advisory, exert moral pressure on the executive, promoting transparency and fiscal discipline. By bridging the gap between legislative oversight and executive implementation, the committee strengthens parliamentary democracy and reinforces the principle of financial accountability.