Panel wants to bring NHAI under its purview; NHAI opposes

A key Parliamentary financial committee wants to bring the National Highway Authority of India under its purview, but the authority working under the Road Ministry is opposed to the idea.

The issue of of bringing NHAI under the purview of the Committee on Public Undertakings came up at the meeting of the panel on Tuesday.

The Committee heard the views of Ministry of Road Transport and Highways and Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs on the issue.

The committee feels that like other public undertakings, NHAI should also be brought under its oversight. The NHAI, sources said, used to appear before the Committee till a few years ago.

But later its officials did not appear before the Committee saying they are not covered under the Fourth Schedule of the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in Lok Sabha.

The Authority is also of the view that besides not being covered under the Schedule, it generates little profit and its funds to create infrastructure are provided for by the government.

The Law Ministry, meanwhile, has not given its considered opinion on the dispute citing lack of background material. Its view were sought by the Committee.

A few months ago, the committee had written to the Road Ministry informing it that it wants to bring NHAI under its preview.

The Ministry too is learnt to be of the view that since it is covered by the Standing Committee on Transport, the functioning of the NHAI automatically comes under the purview of that panel.

One of the views is that the Fourth Schedule can be amended to bring the Authority under the purview of Committee on Public Undertakings.

The Committee on Public Undertakings examines reports and accounts of Public Undertakings specified in the Fourth Schedule and examines reports, if any, of the Comptroller and Auditor General on Public Undertakings.

It also examines whether the affairs of the Public Undertakings are being managed in accordance with sound business principles and prudent commercial practices.