1. Meaning and Purpose of Parliamentary Committees

  • Definition: Parliamentary committees are essential auxiliary bodies in India’s legislative process. They help manage the extensive workload and provide specialized expertise in various parliamentary functions.
  • Purpose: These committees ensure thorough examination of legislative proposals, administrative actions, and government expenditures. They allow members to deliberate on specific issues, which the full parliament, due to time constraints, cannot address in detail.

2. Classification of Parliamentary Committees

  • Parliamentary committees are divided into Standing Committees and Ad Hoc Committees.

A. Standing Committees

  • Nature: Permanent, reconstituted yearly, and work continuously.
  • Categories:
    1. Financial Committees:
      • Public Accounts Committee (PAC): Examines government expenditure and audit reports to detect irregularities and ensure prudent spending.
      • Estimates Committee: Analyzes budget estimates, aiming for economic efficiency in public spending.
      • Committee on Public Undertakings: Scrutinizes the functioning of public enterprises for accountability and financial propriety.
    2. Department-Related Standing Committees (DRSC):
      • Overview: Established to increase executive accountability, especially in financial matters. They handle specific departments and ministries.
      • Example: The DRSC for Defense examines the budget and policies related to defense.
    3. Committees to Inquire:
      • Committee on Petitions: Reviews petitions from citizens and organizations.
      • Committee of Privileges: Handles breaches of parliamentary privileges.
      • Ethics Committee: Manages the code of conduct for parliamentarians.
    4. Committees to Scrutinize and Control:
      • Committee on Government Assurances: Monitors assurances given by ministers.
      • Committee on Subordinate Legislation: Ensures that delegated legislative powers are properly exercised.
      • Committee on Welfare of SCs, STs, and Women: Evaluates welfare programs and constitutional safeguards.
    5. Committees Related to Day-to-Day Business:
      • Business Advisory Committee: Organizes the House’s schedule and assigns time for discussing bills.
      • Committee on Private Members’ Bills and Resolutions: Allots time for discussions on private members’ proposals.
      • Rules Committee: Suggests amendments to procedural rules.
    6. House-Keeping or Service Committees:
      • General Purposes Committee: Advises on general House affairs.
      • House Committee: Manages MPs’ residential and other facilities.
      • Library Committee: Manages parliamentary library services for MPs.

B. Ad Hoc Committees

  • Nature: Temporary, dissolved once the assigned task is completed.
  • Categories:
    1. Inquiry Committees: Formed for specific investigations, e.g., the Committee on MPLADS.
    2. Advisory Committees: These include Select or Joint Committees on bills, offering a detailed review and amending bills as necessary.

3. Key Committees Explained with Examples

  • Public Accounts Committee (PAC):
    • Formation: Established in 1921, it comprises 22 members (15 from Lok Sabha and 7 from Rajya Sabha) with a chair from the opposition.
    • Functions: Reviews the government’s spending as reported by the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG).
    • Limitations: Cannot directly affect policy, only advises Parliament on findings.
  • Estimates Committee:
    • Formation: Consists of 30 Lok Sabha members, appointed annually.
    • Functions: Examines budget estimates and suggests efficiency measures.
    • Limitations: Reviews selected departments each year, rotating over time.
  • Committee on Public Undertakings:
    • Formation: Comprises 22 members (15 from Lok Sabha and 7 from Rajya Sabha).
    • Functions: Examines public enterprises’ performance.
    • Limitations: Cannot interfere in daily management or technical issues.

4. Department-Related Standing Committees (DRSCs)

  • Establishment and Purpose: Introduced in 1993 and expanded in 2004 to strengthen financial oversight.
  • Composition: 31 members each, from both Houses.
  • Functions: Review demands for grants, policies, and departmental performance, ensuring effective checks on executive actions.
  • Merits: Non-partisan proceedings, expert consultations, and improved accountability.

5. Specialized Inquiry Committees

  • Committee on Petitions: Reviews petitions from the public on legislative matters and Union issues.
  • Committee of Privileges: Investigates breaches of privilege by MPs or other stakeholders, recommending sanctions.
  • Ethics Committee: Maintains parliamentary decorum by addressing misconduct.

6. Committees for Effective Oversight and Control

  • Committee on Government Assurances: Ensures ministers fulfill promises made on the House floor.
  • Committee on Welfare of SCs/STs and Empowerment of Women: Assesses government initiatives on social equity and empowerment.

7. Consultative Committees

  • Nature and Purpose: Attached to various ministries, these informal committees facilitate discussions between MPs and ministers.
  • Features: Not parliamentary committees but act as forums for policy discussion and feedback from MPs.
  • Structure: Composed of MPs from both Houses, meetings organized by the Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs.