Parliamentary Committees in India: Overview and Functions

Parliamentary Committees in India

Overview, Structure, Powers, and Functions Target Audience: Undergraduate Students Focus: Parliament of India (Sansad Bhawan)

Introduction: The 'Mini-Parliament'

• Definition: A committee appointed or elected by the House or nominated by the Speaker/Chairman which works under their direction and presents a report to the House. • Constitutional Basis: Derived from Article 105 (Privileges of Parliament members) regarding powers and functioning. • Necessity: Parliament has limited time and lacks technical expertise for in-depth legislative scrutiny. Committees ensure executive accountability and detailed examination of bills. • Secretariat: Provided by the Lok Sabha or Rajya Sabha Secretariat.

Classification of Committees

Committees are broadly classified into two categories: 1. Standing Committees: • Permanent in nature. • Constituted every year or periodically. • Examples: Financial Committees, DRSCs, Committees to Inquire. 2. Ad-hoc Committees: • Temporary in nature. • Created for a specific task and dissolved upon report submission. • Examples: Joint Parliamentary Committees (JPC) on scams, Select Committees on specific Bills.

Financial Committee: Public Accounts (PAC)

• Origin: Oldest financial committee (First set up in 1921). • Composition: 22 Members (15 Lok Sabha + 7 Rajya Sabha). • Key Function: Examines the annual audit reports of the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) of India. • Role: Ensures technical irregularity does not occur and money was spent legally. • Chairman: By convention (since 1967), the Chairman is selected from the Opposition Party to ensure neutral scrutiny of government accounts.

Financial Committee: Estimates Committee

• Nature: The 'Continuous Economy Committee'. • Composition: 30 Members (All from Lok Sabha; Rajya Sabha has no representation). • Election: Proportional Representation by Single Transferable Vote. • Function: Examines the estimates included in the budget and suggests 'economies' in public expenditure. • Limitation: It cannot question the policy laid down by Parliament; it only suggests how to implement policy efficiently.

Comparisonual: Financial Committees

• PAC & COPU: Joint committees (LS + RS). • Estimates: Exclusive to Lok Sabha.

Departmental Related Standing Committees

• Overview: 24 Committees covering all central ministries. • Composition: 31 Members each (21 Lok Sabha + 10 Rajya Sabha). • Primary Objectives: 1. Scrutinize 'Demands for Grants' of ministries before voting in Lok Sabha. 2. Examines Bills pertaining to the specific ministry. 3. Consider annual reports of ministries. • Significance: They ensure detailed accountability of the Executive to Parliament, which is impossible on the floor of the House.

Ad-Hoc Committees

Formed for a specific purpose and cease to exist after reporting. 1. Inquiry Committees: Constituted to inquire into specific issues. • Example: Committee on Conduct of Members, Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) on 2G Spectrum or Stock Market Scam. 2. Advisory Committees: Related to specific Bills. • Select Committee (Single House members only). • Joint Select Committee (Members from both Houses) to examine a Bill clause-by-clause.

Common Powers

• Access to Records: Power to send for persons, papers, and records from any Government Department. • Summoning: Can summon experts, officials, or citizens to testify (though not Ministers). • Sub-Committees: Can appoint sub-committees for detailed study. • Special Reports: Can make special reports on matters that come to light during examinations, even if distinct from the main subject.

Appointment & Membership Rules

• Ministers Excluded: A Minister is not eligible to be elected or nominated as a member of Financial Committees or DRSCs (to ensure separation of powers). • Term of Office: Usually one year (for Standing Committees). • Method: Usually proportional representation by means of single transferable vote (favors representation of smaller parties). • Chairmanship: Appointed by Speaker (LS) or Chairman (RS). Financial committee chairs usually rotate or follow convention (Opposition for PAC).

Working Process

• In Camera: Meetings are held in private; they are not open to the public or media to ensure frank discussion. • Non-Partisan: Unlike the Parliament floor, committee discussions are generally non-partisan and issue-based. • Expert Consultation: They frequently consult subject matter experts, trade unions, and industry leaders before finalizing reports. • Consensus: Decisions are usually typically taken by broad consensus, though voting is permitted.

Significance of Committees

• Check on Executive: Provides a forum where officers are directly questioned, ensuring administrative accountability. • Saves Time: Filters non-essential details so Parliament can focus on policy. • Expertise: Allows MPs to specialize in specific areas (defence, finance, agriculture). • Public Participation: Provides a platform for civil society to interact with lawmakers during Bill scrutiny.

Limitations & Conclusion

• Advisory Nature: Recommendations are not binding on the government (though usually accepted). • Post-Mortem Analysis: Financial committees often audit expenditure after it has already occurred. • No Daily Interference: They cannot intervene in day-to-day administration. Conclusion: Despite limitations, Parliamentary Committees are the 'Watchdogs of the House' and function as the 'Third Chamber', essential for a healthy democracy.