🏛️ What is the Committee on Public Undertakings?
It’s a parliamentary committee that keeps a watch on government companies — like a watchdog over how public money is used in PSUs (Public Sector Undertakings) such as BSNL, Air India, ONGC, etc.
📚 Basic Facts to Remember (Simplified)
| Point | Details (Easy Version) |
|---|---|
| Formed in | 1964, after a report by Krishna Menon Committee |
| Total Members | 22 members (15 from Lok Sabha, 7 from Rajya Sabha) |
| Elected by | Parliament, using proportional representation |
| Term | 1 year |
| Chairman | From Lok Sabha only, chosen by the Speaker |
| Ministers? | No, ministers can't be members |
🛠️ Functions of the Committee (With Easy Examples)
| Function | In Simple Words | Real-Life Example |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Check reports & accounts of PSUs | Looks at how much money was spent and earned by government companies | Example: Did BSNL use its funds correctly last year? |
| 2. Check CAG reports on PSUs | Studies the audit reports prepared by the Comptroller & Auditor General | Example: CAG reports that Air India lost ₹2000 crore — CPU checks if the report is accurate |
| 3. Check if PSUs are working efficiently | Makes sure PSUs follow good business practices like any private company | Example: Is SAIL running efficiently or wasting government money? |
| 4. Takes up extra work from PAC or EC if Speaker allows | The Speaker can assign more PSU-related work to this committee | Example: If PAC is busy, Speaker may ask CPU to study NTPC's energy efficiency |
🚫 What the Committee CANNOT Do (Limitations)
| Not Allowed To Examine | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Govt policy decisions | Cannot question decisions like privatization | Example: It can't question why govt wants to sell BPCL |
| Daily operations | Can't interfere in day-to-day work of PSUs | Example: It won’t question daily flight operations of Air India |
| Statutory matters | If a PSU is governed by a special law, CPU can’t look into that part | Example: It won't interfere with LIC’s internal rules under LIC Act |
⚠️ Limitations of the Committee
| Limitation | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 🧾 Post-mortem only | Looks at things after they’ve happened, not in advance |
| 🔧 No technical knowledge | MPs are not engineers or experts, so they can’t understand very technical issues |
| 📋 Advisory only | Its suggestions are not binding on the government |
| 🔟 Covers only 10–12 PSUs a year | Due to limited time, not all PSUs can be checked every year |
🧠 Trick to Remember Functions: "RAPID"
RAPID helps remember CPU’s key duties:
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R – Reports of PSUs
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A – Accounts of PSUs
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P – Performance of PSUs (efficiency)
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I – Investigation by CAG
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D – Duties from PAC/Estimates Committee