Which Parliamentary Committee reviews reports submitted by Public Undertakings specified in the Fourth Schedule to the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in the Lok Sabha of India?

1. A

   Committee on Public Undertakings

2. B

   Estimates Committee

3. C

   Public Accounts Committee

4. D

   Select Committee on Financial Oversight

Appeared in: RRB Nsg. Superintendent - 29 April 2025 (Shift-3rd)

Explanation

• The Committee on Public Undertakings (COPU) was created specifically to oversee the functioning of Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs).
• Its mandate is to examine the reports, accounts, and overall performance of the PSUs listed in the Fourth Schedule of the Lok Sabha's Rules of Procedure.
• The committee's purpose is to ensure these undertakings are managed with financial prudence and sound business practices.
• It was established in 1964 based on the recommendation of the Krishna Menon Committee.

Why Other Options Were Wrong

• Option B: The Estimates Committee's role is to examine the budget estimates and suggest ways to achieve economy in public expenditure. It does not review the performance reports of Public Undertakings.
• Option C: The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) examines the audit reports of the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) on government revenue and expenditure. While it might look at a PSU if a specific audit is conducted by the CAG, its primary role is not the general review of PSU reports.
• Option D: Select Committees are ad-hoc (temporary) committees formed for a specific purpose, like examining a particular bill. 'Select Committee on Financial Oversight' is not a permanent standing committee with the described function.

Related Visual

• Visual 1: Infographic: A chart comparing the composition, chairperson appointment, and key functions of the three main financial committees: Public Accounts Committee, Estimates Committee, and Committee on Public Undertakings.

Clinical Relevance

• Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain Functions of Indian Parliamentary Financial Committees as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
• Understanding the roles of these committees is essential for grasping the mechanisms of parliamentary oversight and financial accountability in India's democratic structure.
• This knowledge highlights the clear division of financial scrutiny: the Estimates Committee focuses on budget planning, the Public Accounts Committee on post-expenditure audit, and the Committee on Public Undertakings on the performance of government-owned businesses.
• What if? If a major financial scam is suspected in a Public Undertaking, the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) would likely conduct a special audit. The report from this audit would then be scrutinized by the Public Accounts Committee (PAC), demonstrating the interplay between these bodies.

How to Approach the Question

• First, identify the core subject of the question, which is the review of 'Public Undertakings'.
• Note the specific reference to the 'Fourth Schedule' of the Lok Sabha rules, which is a key detail.
• Analyze the options. The name 'Committee on Public Undertakings' directly corresponds to the subject matter, making it a very strong candidate.
• Recall or deduce the functions of the other committees. The 'Estimates Committee' deals with budget estimates, and the 'Public Accounts Committee' deals with audited accounts from the CAG.
• Eliminate the 'Select Committee' option, as these are typically temporary and formed for specific, non-routine tasks, unlike the function described.
• Conclude that the committee named for the task is the one responsible for it.

Concept Tested & Keywords

• Concept Tested: Functions of Indian Parliamentary Financial Committees
• Stem keywords: Parliamentary Committee, Public Undertakings, Fourth Schedule, Lok Sabha
• Lead-in keywords: Which

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