{"id":77797,"date":"2025-12-13T17:36:48","date_gmt":"2025-12-13T12:06:48","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/?p=77797"},"modified":"2025-12-13T17:38:51","modified_gmt":"2025-12-13T12:08:51","slug":"committee-on-public-undertakings","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/committee-on-public-undertakings\/","title":{"rendered":"Committee on Public Undertakings, Functions, Composition, Working"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Committee on Public Undertakings is a financial Parliamentary Committee created to ensure continuous scrutiny of India\u2019s public sector enterprises. Established on 1 May 1964, it functions under provisions of the Rules of Procedure of the Lok Sabha and evaluates how Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs) are managed. The committee analyses their accounts, examines audit findings of the Comptroller and Auditor General, and checks whether PSUs operate using sound commercial principles. With a one-year tenure and members drawn from both Houses, it strengthens accountability and efficiency across government-owned enterprises.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><b>Committee on Public Undertakings Objectives<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Committee on Public Undertakings aims to ensure transparent, accountable, and efficient functioning of public undertakings. The key objectives of the Committee has been given below:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Examine the reports and accounts of listed public undertakings.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Review CAG findings related to PSU performance.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Assess whether PSU management aligns with prudent commercial practices.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Ensure autonomy, efficiency, and responsible financial conduct.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Bring PSU operations under systematic parliamentary oversight.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><b>Committee on Public Undertakings Features<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Committee on Public Undertakings has a structured membership system, defined tenure and clear constitutional grounding within parliamentary financial committees.<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Formation: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Constituted as one of the three financial standing committees of Parliament. Formed under Rules 312A and 312B of the Rules of Procedure.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><b>Annual Tenure: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Committee\u2019s term is limited to one year, requiring fresh election of members each cycle.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><b>Election: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Annual election using proportional representation with a single transferable vote.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><b>Restricted Membership: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It comprises not more than 22 members, ensuring manageable and focused deliberations.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><b>Bicameral Representation: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">15 members come from <a href=\"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/lok-sabha\/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Lok Sabha<\/strong><\/a> and up to 7 from <a href=\"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/rajya-sabha\/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Rajya Sabha<\/strong><\/a> through proportional representation.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><b>Speaker\u2019s Authority: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Chairperson is appointed by the Speaker.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><b>Membership Exclusion: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Ministers cannot serve on the Committee.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><b>Committee on Public Undertakings Functions<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The functions of the Committee on Public Undertakings revolve around examining PSU reports, audit findings and managerial efficiency to promote financial discipline in public enterprises.<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Reviews reports and accounts of PSUs listed under the Fourth Schedule.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Analyses CAG reports directly related to PSU functioning.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Evaluates PSU efficiency, autonomy and adherence to commercial prudence.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Conducts broad studies on systemic issues affecting PSU operations.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Exercises functions of the Public Accounts Committee and Estimates Committee where specifically assigned by the Speaker.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><b>Committee on Public Undertakings Working<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Committee on Public Undertakings follows a structured examination process involving evidence collection, study groups and field visits to understand PSU operations.<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Selects PSUs or subjects for examination based on set terms of reference.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Seeks detailed information and documents from relevant ministries and undertakings.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Forms study groups for intensive subject-wise examination.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Undertakes field visits and on-site assessments of projects and facilities.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Holds informal discussions during tours without recording evidence.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Conducts formal evidence sessions in Delhi with officials and experts.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Maintains strict confidentiality of all discussion proceedings.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Prepares reports with findings and recommendations and presents them to both Houses.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Reviews government responses through Action Taken Reports for follow-up scrutiny.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><b>Committee on Public Undertakings Composition<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The committee has a fixed strength of 22 members chosen through proportional representation using the single transferable vote system.<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">15 members elected from Lok Sabha.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Maximum 7 members elected from Rajya Sabha.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Annual election ensures rotation and broad political representation.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Chairperson selected by the Speaker, present chairman is- <\/span><b>Shri Baijayant &#8216;Jay&#8217; Panda<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Ministers barred from membership; appointment as Minister leads to automatic disqualification.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Party representation proportionally reflects strength in each House.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Recent composition includes members from BJP, INC, DMK, TDP, SP, AITC, JDU, SS, AAP, BJD, etc.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Uses these reports to highlight inefficiencies and drive managerial reforms in PSUs.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><b>Committee on Public Undertakings List<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Committee on Public Undertakings covers statutory corporations, government companies and major PSUs listed in the Fourth Schedule for parliamentary scrutiny.<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Includes corporations established by central legislation such as Damodar Valley Corporation and Life Insurance Corporation of India.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Covers national-level authorities like Airports Authority of India and National Highways Authority of India.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Examines Food Corporation of India and Central Warehousing Corporation.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Evaluates major defence PSUs such as Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd and Bharat Electronics Ltd.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Covers shipbuilding undertakings including Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders and Garden Reach Shipbuilders.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">All government companies whose annual reports are tabled under Section 619A of the Companies Act are included.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><b>Committee on Public Undertakings Reports<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Committee on Public Undertakings generates detailed reports evaluating PSU performance and follows up through Action Taken Reports to ensure accountability.<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Has produced 604 reports since its establishment.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">301 are original reports examining PSU performance and systemic issues.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">303 are Action Taken Reports reviewing government compliance with recommendations.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">37 original reports are broad horizontal studies on PSU functioning.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Notable examinations include BSNL\u2019s high staff cost (nearly half its revenue in 2011-12).<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Probed ONGC Videsh Ltd\u2019s losses exceeding Rs. 1182 crore due to overestimated reserves.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Committee on Public Undertakings is a parliamentary body that scrutinises PSUs, reviews CAG audits and improves accountability, efficiency and financial discipline.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":25,"featured_media":77609,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[786],"tags":[4191],"class_list":{"0":"post-77797","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-general-studies","8":"tag-committee-on-public-undertakings","9":"no-featured-image-padding"},"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/77797","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/25"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=77797"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/77797\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/77609"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=77797"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=77797"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=77797"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}