12.1.2. Estimates Committee

This Committee consists of 30 members who are elected by the Lok Sabha every year from amongst its members. A Minister is not eligible for election to this Committee. The term of the Committee is one year. The main function of the Committee on Estimates is to report what economies, improvements in organization, efficiency, or administrative reform, consistent with the policy underlying the estimates may be effected and to suggest alternative policies in order to bring about efficiency and economy in administration. From time to time the Committee selects such of the estimates pertaining to a Ministry or a group of Ministries or the statutory and other Government bodies as may seem fit to the Committee. It examines whether the money is well laid out within the limits of the policy implied in the estimates and suggests the form in which the estimates shall be presented to Parliament. The Committee also examines matters of special interests which may arise or come to light in the course of its work or which are specifically referred to it by the House or the Speaker.