Estimates committees must ensure every rupee spent is for people's welfare: LS Speaker
Parliamentary Committees, whether at the Centre or in states, are not opposed to the government but rather act as supportive and corrective instruments, offering constructive guidance, said Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla on Tuesday. He was addressing the valedictory session of the two-day National Conference of Chairpersons of Estimates Committees of Parliament and State/UT Legislatures.
'By offering well-researched recommendations and acting as a bridge between the executive and the legislature, these committees contribute to transparent, accountable, and effective governance,' he added.
'Estimates Committees must ensure that every rupee spent is for people's welfare. fiscal resources of the country must be utilised efficiently and responsibly… the role of estimates committees is not just to monitor expenditure but to ensure that welfare schemes are relevant, accessible, and effective for the common citizen, with a special emphasis on social justice and welfare,' he stated.
Birla underscored the importance of fostering institutional synergy, enhancing financial accountability, and embracing technology-driven governance to strengthen democratic processes. He highlighted that seamless coordination among various arms of governance is crucial for efficient policy implementation and citizen-centric administration. Emphasising transparency and fiscal responsibility, the speaker called for robust mechanisms to ensure prudent use of public funds.
'Parliamentary Committees, whether at the Centre or in states, are not opposed to the government but rather act as supportive and corrective instruments, offering constructive guidance,' he said.
The Speaker urged members to uphold the spirit of collaboration and responsibility, reinforcing the committees' role as pillars of parliamentary democracy. He also called for coordination between Estimate Committees of Parliament and the states/UTs legislatures.
He called for the empowerment of committees with necessary resources and digital capabilities to monitor expenditures closely, thereby reinforcing fiscal discipline and promoting good governance.
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