Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla today said that the Estimates Committee of the Parliament has consistently contributed to budgetary reforms aimed at improving transparency and aligning expenditures with national development goals. Addressing the inaugural session of the National Conference of Estimates Committees of Parliament and State/UT Legislative Bodies in Mumbai, Mr. Birla said the Committee has made impactful recommendations to improve the delivery of public services and to ensure the judicious use of taxpayer money.
The two-day event has been organised to commemorate the 75 years of the Estimates Committee, Parliament of India. The Speaker also released a souvenir to mark the occasion.
Stating that the 75 years of the Committee are a reflection of its evolving role in safeguarding democratic values through financial discipline, administrative efficiency, and systemic reforms, Mr. Birla said the Committee has grown into a crucial oversight mechanism that examines budgetary estimates, evaluates implementation, and provides actionable recommendations, adding that over 90 percent of the recommendations have been accepted by the government.
Keeping with the modern times, the Lok Sabha Speaker further advocated for the integration of digital tools, data analytics platforms, and artificial intelligence in the functioning of Parliamentary Committees to conduct in-depth scrutiny and make evidence-based recommendations.
Emphasizing that state legislatures can play a transformative role by ensuring fiscal prudence and responsible spending in state departments, Mr. Birla called upon the Chairpersons of Estimates Committees from State Legislatures to act as stewards of financial accountability at the state level. He added that the Platinum Jubilee of the Estimates Committee is not merely a commemoration of the past, but a call to action for the future-one that demands innovation, cooperation and dedication in equal measure.
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, Deputy Chief Ministers Eknath Shinde and Ajit Pawar, Chairperson, Committee on Estimates, Parliament of India, Mr. Sanjay Jaiswal along with committee’s members, Chairpersons of Committees on Estimates in States and Union Territories Legislatures along with many other dignitaries were present on the occasion.
During the conference, members will deliberate on the theme, ‘Role of Estimates Committee in Effective Monitoring and Review of Budget Estimates for Ensuring Efficiency and Economy in Administration’. Maharashtra Governor, Mr. C.P. Radhakrishnan will deliver the Valedictory Address tomorrow.