(A) Meaning:

Statutory Corporations are autonomous bodies established under special legislative Acts. A statutory corporation is formed under a Special Act of Parliament or State

Legislature. The powers, duties, functions and scope of operations are laid down in the Act. LIC, IFCI, SBI, UTI, Air India are the examples of public corporation.

Statutory Corporation is a body with a separate existence, which can sue and be sued and is responsible for its own finance. It is administered by a board appointed by public authority to which it is answerable.

(B) Features of Statutory Corporation: 

(i) No political Interference : It enjoys freedom from political, parliamentary and government interference in day-to-day management.

(ii) Own Staffing System: They recruit their own employees and they are not government servant. Employees terms and services are not governed by civil services rules.

(iii) No Political Interference : It enjoys freedom from political, parliamentary and government interference in day to day management of its affairs. 

(iv) Financial Autonomy : Statutory Corporations are financially autonomous. After getting the prior permission from the Government, it can even borrow money within and outside the country.

(v) Independent Identity : They have an independent identity different from the government. Though, the overall business policies are formulated by the government, they have administrative autonomy and hence operational flexibility.

(vi) Special Act : They are established under a special Act passed by the Parliament. Its objectives, powers 98and functions are regulated by the Act. 

(vii) Corporate Body : Statutory Corporation is a corporate body. It has a separate legal entity distinct from its members and thereby can enter into contracts and acquire property on its own name. 

(viii) Answerable to the Legislature : A statutory corporation is answerable to Parliament or State Assembly whomsoever creates it. Parliament has no right to interfere. Though the overall business policies are formulated by the government, they have administrative autonomy and hence operational flexibility.

(ix) Legal Status : As a body corporate, it has a separate legal entity, distinct from its members and thereby can enter into contracts and acquire property in its own name. 

(x) Independent Accounting System : They are not subject to budget accounting and audit laws and procedures applicable to government departments. But financial reports are placed in the Parliament for discussion. 

(xi) Public Accountability : It’s accounts are audited by the Comptroller and Auditor General of India. Its annual reports and results are placed in Parliament or Legislative Assembly for discussion and hence answerable for their working and results to the Parliament.

(xii) Objective : It is service oriented and not profit oriented. It works efficiently to earn profit which is used for its day to day functioning.