Sample Material of Public Administration Study Kit (Paper - II)
Financial Management: Parliamentary control of public expenditure
PARLIAMENTARY CONTROL OF PUBLIC EXPENDITURE
The Parliament is the custodian of public money, and what better way to keep an eye on the authorities spending the money than through the representatives of the public sitting there? The methods adopted by the Parliament for controlling expenditure may be broadly classified into two categories:
(a) Built-in techniques in parliamentary procedure, and
(b) Committees appointed by the Parliament To begin with the
first category, there are certain techniques which are part of the parliamentary
procedure. Some of these are general, in the sense that they are employed for
both financial and other matters, while specific techniques help the Parliament
to exercise financial control. Among the in-built techniques in the
parliamentary procedure, questions are the most significant.
Questions
Questions represent a very powerful technique of
parliamentary control over expenditure. The right to ask questions was given for
the first time to the legislators by the Act of 1892 and for asking
supplementary questions in 1909. A question is a request made by a member for an
oral explanation from the concerned minister. However, a notice of 10 days has
to be given to the concerned minister before a question can be asked. But if a
matter is urgent, then, a shorter notice is enough. The questions are classified
into two categories-starred and unstarred. The questions marked with a star are
answered orally and the unstarred ones get a written answer.
In the Indian Parliament, the questions raised by members on the various issues
of the conduct of government, including its finance, have had great impact. It
is well known how Feroz Gandhi’s one set of questions led to the unravelling of
the Mundra Scandal, that eventually shook the whole Central government. It added
a new chapter to India’s parliamentary history. The report of the Chagla
Commission of inquiry on the LIC financial
deals is a document that can still provide useful guidelines of right conduct
for the ministers and the civil servants.
Resolutions
The term ‘Resolution’ is used in respect of certain kinds of
motions only. These are of two kinds: those which recommend a particular course
of action to the government and those which seek to censure an individual
minister or the whole ministry. A member can also move a resolution on a matter
of public interest. Fifteen days notice is required for moving a resolution. The
resolution must raise some definite issue and should not deal
with the conduct of anyone except in his official capacity.
All general rules applicable to motions are applicable to resolutions also. However, by its nature, a resolution is only recommendatory and not binding. But, resolutions passed in pursuance of any provision in the Constitution or in any Act of Parliament have a binding effect.
Motions
When a member of the Parliament feels that a particular matter or report ought to be discussed in the House, a motion for that has to be brought before the House. A notice for such a motion has to be given according to set rules. When a member moves a motion, he may speak on it and so can the other members. Then, the debate over it takes place.