Why do you think the committees are considered to be useful for parliamentary work? Discuss, in this context, the role of the Estimates Committee. (10) (150 words)

Parliamentary committees provide smaller, specialised and relatively deliberative forums for scrutiny that the full House cannot continuously undertake.

• They examine bills, budgets, delegated legislation and executive assurances in detail, using evidence from officials, experts and stakeholders.
• Their cross-party composition encourages accountability and reduces purely adversarial debate.
• Reports create institutional memory and enable follow-up beyond the visibility of floor proceedings.

• The Estimates Committee, with 30 Lok Sabha members elected annually, examines whether proposed expenditure is economical, efficient and administratively sound.
• It suggests economies, alternative policies and better presentation of estimates, and examines whether money is well laid out within policy limits.
• It cannot question the broad policy approved by Parliament; its recommendations are persuasive, not judicially binding.

parliamentary committees; Estimates Committee; budgetary control; executive accountability