24.06.2025: Governor, LS Speaker address Valedictory Session of National Conference of Estimates Committees

Maharashtra Governor, LS Speaker address Valedictory Session of National Conference of Estimates Committees

Effective functioning of Estimates Committee strengthen democracy: Maharashtra Governor

Estimates Committee ensure that benefits of Govt Schemes reach the last person: Om Birla

Stating that the Estimates Committees of Parliament and State Legislatures are the backbone of transparency and accountability in governance, Maharashtra Governor C P Radhakrishnan today hailed the Committees for strengthening democracy in the country.

Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla noted that the Estimates Committee brings transparency and accountability in the functioning of Governments that ensures that the benefits of various Government programmes and schemes reach the last person in society.

Governor Radhakrishnan accompanied by Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla were addressing the Valedictory Session of the 2 -day National Conference of Estimates Committees of Parliament, State Legislatures and Union Territories hosted by Maharashtra Raj Bhavan at Vidhan Bhavan in Mumbai on Tue (24 June). The National Conference was organised to commemorate the 75 years to the functioning of the Estimates Committee of Parliament.

Noting that over 55% of revenue receipts of States are spent on committed expenditures such as salaries, pensions, and interest payments, the Governor expressed the hope that the Estimates Committees will look beyond traditional methods in promoting fiscal prudence and effective governance.

In this connection he said the Committees should adopt advanced tools such as data analytics, dashboards, and AI-powered audit platforms to ensure real-time monitoring of budget performance and public service delivery.

The Governor highlighted Maharashtra’s contribution to India’s democratic fabric. He was all praise for the positive and constructive relationship between the Treasury Benches and the Opposition in Maharashtra and said such healthy democratic practices are worthy of emulation by other States.

Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla said that cooperation and partnership are the strength of democracy. He expressed the hope that Estimates Committees will become experts in harnessing technology and ensure that public funds are not misused. He said Estimates Committee complement the functioning of Governments and are not against the Government. He hoped that Governments will take the reports of the Estimates Committee more seriously.

Deputy Chairman of Rajya Sabha Dr Harivansh Narayan Singh, Chairman of the Estimates Committee of Lok Sabha Dr Sanjay Jaiswal and the Leader of the Opposition in the Maharashtra Legislative Council Ambadas Danve also addressed the Concluding Session.

Chairman of Maharashtra Legislative Council Prof. Ram Shinde, Speaker of Maharashtra Legislative Assembly Adv. Rahul Narwekar, Deputy Chairman of Maharashtra Legislative Council Dr Neelam Gorhe, Deputy Speaker of Maharashtra Legislative Assembly Anna Saheb Bansode, Chairman, Estimates Committee of Maharashtra Legislature Arjun Khotkar, Chairpersons and Members of Estimates Committees from Parliament and various States and Union Territories were present.