UPSC Prelims 2009 Q16: Indian Economy – Infrastructure & Industry
With
which one of the following has the
B. K. Chaturvedi Committee dealt?
- (a) Review of Centre - State relations
- (b) Review of Delimitation Act
- (c) Tax reforms and measures to increase revenues
- (d) Price reforms in the oil sector
Answer: (d) Price reforms in the oil sector
Explanation
What the B.K. Chaturvedi Committee dealt with
This committee addressed a specific pricing issue in a key economic sector.
| Option | Verdict | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| (a) Review of Centre-State relations | Incorrect | This describes a different kind of committee (like the Sarkaria or Punchhi Commission) |
| (b) Review of the Delimitation Act | Incorrect | Unrelated to the B.K. Chaturvedi Committee's mandate |
| (c) Tax reforms and revenue measures | Incorrect | Also not this committee's specific focus |
| (d) Price reforms in the oil sector | Correct | The B.K. Chaturvedi Committee was tasked with recommending pricing reforms for petroleum products, addressing subsidy and pricing mechanism issues |
B.K. Chaturvedi Committee facts:
| Point | Detail |
|---|---|
| Focus | Oil/petroleum pricing reforms |
| Context | Addressing fuel subsidy and pricing mechanism issues |
Answer: (d) Price reforms in the oil sector.
Why each option is right or wrong
- (a) Incorrect. Centre-State relations review is handled by different commissions (Sarkaria, Punchhi), not this committee.
- (b) Incorrect. The Delimitation Act is unrelated to this committee's mandate.
- (c) Incorrect. General tax reforms are not this committee's specific focus.
- (d) CORRECT. The B.K. Chaturvedi Committee specifically addressed oil-sector price reforms.
Key point
The B.K. Chaturvedi Committee dealt with PRICE REFORMS IN THE OIL SECTOR, addressing petroleum pricing and subsidy mechanism issues.
Remember
B.K. Chaturvedi Committee: dealt with price reforms in the oil (petroleum) sector.
Common mistakes
- Confusing the B.K. Chaturvedi Committee's oil-pricing mandate with Centre-State relations commissions.
- Mixing up this committee with unrelated tax-reform or delimitation-review bodies.
- Not knowing the specific petroleum-pricing context behind this committee's formation.
Exam tip
B.K. Chaturvedi Committee = oil-sector price reforms. A specific committee-mandate pairing.
Sources
- Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, Government of India — Report of the Committee on Pricing of Petroleum Products (Chairman: B. K. Chaturvedi), 2008
- Planning Commission, Government of India — Report of the Expert Group on a Viable and Sustainable System of Pricing of Petroleum Products (Chairman: Kirit S. Parikh), 2010