Context:

In a report on the rationalization of 109 autonomous bodies under Central government ministries, the finance ministry’s department of expenditure recommended that the environment ministry rationalize a few bodies.

Autonomous Bodies

• An Autonomous Body (ABs) is set up by the government for a specific purpose.
• It is independent in day-to-day functioning, but the government has some control over ABs.
• Autonomous Bodies are set up for some of the functions which need to be discharged outside the governmental setup.

Functions

These bodies are involved in activities such as formulating frameworks for policies, conducting research, and cultural aspects.

Legal Status

They are mostly registered as societies under the Societies Registration Act and in certain cases, they have been set up as statutory institutions under the provisions contained in various Acts.

Finance of Autonomous bodies

The government funds ABs in some ways such as revenue expenditure, capital expenditure, or both.

Objectives behind their formulation

• The objective is to give them flexibility and independence in functioning.
• Some of the autonomous Institutes impart technical, medical, and higher education also.

Governance of these bodies

The governing council or governing body, which is chaired by the minister or the secretary of the respective ministry, governs the functioning and existence of these bodies.

Accounting and Auditing procedure

These Autonomous Bodies are audited by the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG), and the annual report is presented in the Parliament every year.