Previous Year Question
Which is the largest Committee of the Indian Parliament?
Public Account Committee
Estimates Committee
Committee on Public Undertakings
Committee on Petitions
Correct Answer: B
Detailed Solution
The Estimates Committee consists of 30 members, all of whom are elected annually from among the members of the Lok Sabha. The Rajya Sabha has no representation on this Committee. Its term of office is one year.
Its principal functions include examining Budget Estimates and suggesting measures for economy, organisational improvement, efficiency and administrative reform. It may suggest alternative policies and examine whether money is being properly laid out within the limits of the policy underlying the Estimates.
The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) and the Committee on Public Undertakings (COPU) each have 22 members—15 from the Lok Sabha and 7 from the Rajya Sabha—so they are smaller than the Estimates Committee among the options given.
The Estimates Committee was first constituted in 1950. Its Chairperson is appointed by the Speaker of the Lok Sabha from among its members, and a Minister cannot be elected as a member of the Committee.