Parliamentary committees play a crucial role in the functioning of the Indian Parliament. They are instrumental in scrutinizing government policies, examining legislation, and ensuring accountability. Here are key points about parliamentary committees:
- Types of Committees:
- Standing Committees: These are permanent committees constituted by the Parliament or the House Speaker to examine specific areas of governance. They continue to exist from one session of Parliament to another.
- Ad Hoc Committees: These are temporary committees appointed for a specific purpose and for a limited duration. Once the task is completed, they are dissolved.
- Select Committees: These are appointed by either House of Parliament for specific bills to scrutinize their provisions in detail.
- Functions:
- Legislative Scrutiny: Parliamentary committees examine bills referred to them, scrutinize their provisions, and suggest amendments before they are presented to Parliament for debate and voting.
- Policy Examination: They examine government policies, programs, and budget allocations to ensure their effectiveness and alignment with national goals.
- Oversight of Executive: Parliamentary committees oversee the functioning of government departments and agencies, reviewing their performance, expenditures, and implementation of policies.
- Inquiry and Investigation: Committees conduct inquiries and investigations into specific issues, such as corruption allegations or administrative irregularities, to hold the government accountable.
- Composition:
- Members of parliamentary committees are drawn from both the Lok Sabha (House of the People) and the Rajya Sabha (Council of States).
- The composition of committees reflects the proportional representation of political parties in Parliament.
- Members are appointed through nominations by the Speaker (for Lok Sabha) or the Chairman (for Rajya Sabha), based on recommendations from political parties.
- Working Procedures:
- Parliamentary committees conduct their proceedings in private to facilitate frank discussions and deliberations.
- They have the power to summon witnesses, call for documents and records, and seek expert opinions to aid their inquiries.
- Committees submit their reports and recommendations to Parliament for consideration and action.
- Significance:
- Parliamentary committees enhance the effectiveness of parliamentary oversight by providing a forum for detailed examination and scrutiny of government actions and policies.
- They contribute to transparency, accountability, and informed decision-making in the governance process.
- Through their work, parliamentary committees help strengthen the principles of democratic governance and uphold the rule of law.
- Examples of Committees:
- Public Accounts Committee (PAC): Examines government expenditures and financial administration.
- Estimates Committee: Examines the estimates of expenditures of the government.
- Committee on Public Undertakings (COPU): Examines the functioning of public sector enterprises.
Understanding the role and functioning of parliamentary committees is essential for UPSC aspirants as they form an integral part of India’s democratic framework and governance structure.
