I would like to add that the hon. Member's impression that whatever has been put into these companies from the consolidated fund is done without an appropriation, is not correct. No money can be paid out of the consolidated fund without some appropriation of some kind or the other. Therefore, Sir, the real issue is not so much of paying moneys out of the consolidated fund, or the form of organisation, but the powers of the comptroller and auditor general and the authority of the executive as well as parliament over these organisations, especially in regard to financial matters, this is to say, financial control. In regard to the position of the comptroller and auditor general, when we have in mind or when we insert the chapter, undoubtedly, we shall make a provision there which will ensure that the comptroller and audtior-general is enabled to exercise the functions which the constitution intended that he should exercise. In the case of organisations which are owned entirely by government, of course, there is no question. It will always be provided that the comptroller and auditor-general shall audit. The doubts will arise in respect of companies or corporations, maybe in which government have only a share. The Union Government is not in a position to feed the States even. Expenditures are expected to continue. By one estimate, a 4 per cent shortfall in their budgeted revenue for 2008-09 is likely to wipe out the surpluses accumulated by the States. 2006-07 was the first year since 1987-88 that States witnessed a revenue surplus. The problem today, is, on the revenue side, slower economic growth is going to result in lower VAT contribution. VAT contributes nearly 42 per cent to the States tax. States excise, stamp and registration duties together account for around 17 per cent of revenue. This will also be hit. This may be much less compared to the situation that prevailed when the Fifty Pay Commission Award was implemented. But what complicates things is that when combined with heavy expenditure by the Centre.
