Limited Parliamentary Influence
India's budget process is heavily controlled by the executive branch (Finance Ministry).
Parliament's role is largely ceremonial, with limited opportunities for meaningful input or amendments.
This weakens democratic principles of accountability and representation.
The Rajya Sabha has very limited role in budget discussions.
Necessary Reforms: Pre-Budget Discussions
Introduce formal pre-budget discussions in Parliament.
This would allow lawmakers to debate fiscal health, priorities, and provide input before the final budget is drafted.
This promotes transparency, public engagement, and better coordination between parliamentary committees.
Necessary Reforms: PBO
Establish a Parliamentary Budget Office (PBO), similar to those in other democracies, to provide independent economic analysis and data.
The PBO would offer expert forecasts, policy briefs, and assessments of fiscal impact to parliamentarians.
This would help parliamentarians make informed decisions and enhance their scrutiny of the government's financial policies.
Goal: Strengthen Democratic Accountability
These reforms aim to shift Parliament from a passive approver to an active participant in budget formulation.
This would lead to more equitable economic policies and greater transparency in financial governance.
The goal is to reinforce the idea that the budget should reflect the people's interests, not just the executive's.
COMMENTS