Which one of the following is the largest Committee of the Parliament?
Smart Elimination
Trick: Link each committee's scope and purpose to its number
• Estimates Committee — Largest (30 members, all Lok Sabha) - It examines budget estimates, government expenditure efficiency, and economic planning aspects. This work requires broad representation of various sectors & ministries. Also, since control over finances is a Lok Sabha prerogative, only Lok Sabha members are included — making it naturally a larger committee.
• PAC & COPU — Smaller (22 members each: 15 LS + 7 RS) - These committees do audit-based scrutiny after expenditure is incurred — more technical and reactive, not policymaking. Requires expertise over quantity — hence smaller size is sufficient.
• Committee on Petitions — Smallest (~15 members) - Deals with public grievances submitted to Parliament. Operational workload and significance are limited compared to budget control or CAG audit.
Answer Key & Explanation
Answer: BThe correct answer is Option B.
Explanation:
- Estimates Committee: Has 30 members. All are from the Lok Sabha. It is the largest committee.
- Public Accounts Committee (PAC): 22 members (15 Lok Sabha + 7 Rajya Sabha).
- Committee on Public Undertakings (COPU): 22 members (15 Lok Sabha + 7 Rajya Sabha).
- Committee on Petitions: 15 members (Lok Sabha) / 10 (Rajya Sabha).
Value Addition
- Function of Estimates Committee: It suggests 'economies' in public expenditure (often called the 'Continuous Economy Committee').
- Chairman: The Chairman of the Estimates Committee is invariably from the Ruling Party, unlike the PAC chairman who is usually from the Opposition.
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