Transparency (Open Budget Index) 46/100
The Government of India provides the public with limited budget information.
Public Participation 19/100
The Government of India is weak in providing the public with opportunities to engage in the budget process.
Budget Oversight
By legislature 39/100
Budget oversight by the legislature in India is weak.
By auditor 75/100
Budget oversight by the supreme audit institution in India is adequate.
Recommendations
Improving Transparency
India should prioritize the following actions to improve budget transparency:
- Produce and publish a Pre-Budget Statement.
- Institutionalize the publication in a timely manner of all documents, including the Mid-Year Review and the Year-End Report.
- Increase the comprehensiveness of the Citizens Budget.
Improving Participation
India should prioritize the following actions to improve budget participation:
- Establish credible and effective mechanisms (i.e., public hearings, surveys, focus groups) for capturing a range of public perspectives on budget matters.
- Hold legislative hearings on the budgets of specific ministries, departments, and agencies at which testimony from the public is heard.
Improving Oversight
India should prioritize the following actions to strengthen budget oversight:
- Establish a specialized budget research office for the legislature.
- In both law and practice, ensure the legislature is consulted prior to the spending of contingency funds that were not identified in the Enacted Budget.