Question : Open Budget Survey

(a) whether according to Open Budget Survey (2017), India’s budget transparency score has fallen substantially from 68 (in 2012) to 48 out of 100 (in 2017), behind Nepal (52) and Afghanistan (49) amongst the South Asian countries as reported in the Delhi Post news portal, if so, the details thereof;
(b) whether the Government is planning to improve India’s budget transparency and Open Budget Index score and if so, the details of targeted score and the proposed time frame for achieving the same; and
(c) the details of the measures being taken or proposed to be taken by the Government to improve budgetary transparency, oversight and especially public participation, as India scored the least (15 out of 100) in public participation?

Answer given by the minister

MINISTER OF STATE FOR FINANCE (SHRI SHIV PRATAP SHUKLA)

(a) to (c):
The Government of India’s budget-making process is reasonably transparent. Budget is prepared on the basis of detailed discussions held with the Ministries/Departments. Feedback from States and key stakeholders is also taken. Once the Budget is presented on February 1, all the budget related documents are available in the public domain (indiabudget.nic.in). The Budget is discussed in Parliament, scrutinised by Departmentally Related Standing Committees and voted and passed. The availability of all budget-related documents in the public domain facilitate greater public debate. The oversight functions are performed by the Comptroller & Auditor General of India, whose reports are regularly tabled in the Parliament.

Download PDF Files