PARLIAMENTARY COMMITTEES
Polity
BASIC FEATURES
A committee is considered a Parliamentary Committee if:
• It is appointed by either House of Parliament or nominated by the Speaker/Chairman.
• It works under the direction of the Speaker/Chairman.
• It submits its report to the House or to the Speaker/Chairman.
• It is provided secretarial assistance by Lok Sabha/Rajya Sabha Secretariat.
Note: Constitution mentions committees in various places but leaves composition, tenure, functions to rules of the Houses.
CONSULTATIVE COMMITTEES (Different from Parliamentary Committees)
• Includes members from both Houses.
• Minister/Minister of State concerned becomes Chairman.
• Act as liaison between MPs and ministries; discuss policies informally.
• Constituted by Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs, not Parliament.
• Membership voluntary; 10–30 members.
• Formed at beginning of a new Lok Sabha; dissolved with its term.
TYPES OF PARLIAMENTARY COMMITTEES
1. Standing Committees – Permanent in nature.
2. Ad hoc Committees – Temporary, dissolved after purpose fulfilled.
STANDING COMMITTEES
A. FINANCIAL COMMITTEES
1. PUBLIC ACCOUNTS COMMITTEE (PAC)
• Origin: Government of India Act, 1919.
• Composition: 22 members (15 LS + 7 RS).
• Ministers cannot be members.
• Tenure: 1 year.
• Chairman: Appointed by Speaker; always from opposition.
Functions:
• Examines whether money granted by Parliament is spent appropriately.
• Basis of examination: CAG reports + Appropriation Accounts.
• Scrutinises cases of loss, irregularities.
• Assisted by CAG.
Limitations: Advisory only, not executive.
2. ESTIMATES COMMITTEE
• Composition: 30 members from Lok Sabha only.
• Ministers ineligible.
• Tenure: 1 year.
• Chairman: From ruling party.
Functions:
• Suggests economies, improvements, administrative reforms.
• Examines matters referred by House/Speaker.
Limitations:
• No CAG support.
• Post‑facto examination; recommendations advisory.
3. COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC UNDERTAKINGS (COPU)
• Origin: Recommended by Krishna Menon Committee.
• Composition: 22 members (15 LS + 7 RS).
• Ministers cannot be members.
• Tenure: 1 year.
• Chairman: From Lok Sabha.
Functions:
• Examines reports/accounts of PSUs.
• Studies CAG reports on PSUs.
• Checks efficiency, autonomy, business principles.
Limitations:
• Cannot examine government policy or day‑to‑day PSU administration.
B. DEPARTMENTALLY RELATED STANDING COMMITTEES (DRSCs)
• Introduced in 1993; expanded later.
• Today: 24 committees covering all ministries.
• Composition: max 45 members (30 LS + 15 RS).
• Ministers cannot be members.
• Tenure: 1 year.
• 8 Committees serviced by Rajya Sabha; rest by Lok Sabha.
Functions:
• Detailed examination of Demands for Grants.
• Examine Bills (other than Money Bills).
• Consider policy matters, annual reports, long‑term plans of ministries.
Significance:
• Strengthens legislative oversight.
• Reduces burden on Parliament.
• Promotes in-depth scrutiny.
COMMITTEES TO INQUIRE
1. COMMITTEE ON PETITIONS
• LS: 15 members | RS: 10 members.
• Ministers excluded.
Functions:
• Examines petitions submitted to House.
• Considers representations from individuals/associations.
2. COMMITTEE ON PRIVILEGES
• LS: 15 members | RS: 10 members.
Functions:
• Examines cases involving breach of privilege of House/members.
3. ETHICS COMMITTEE
• Ensures discipline, decorum.
• Examines misconduct of MPs.
COMMITTEES TO SCRUTINISE AND CONTROL
1. COMMITTEE ON GOVERNMENT ASSURANCES
• LS: 15 members | RS: 10 members.
• Ministers not eligible.
Functions:
• Tracks assurances/promises made by Ministers.
• Examines extent & timeliness of implementation.
2. COMMITTEE ON SUBORDINATE LEGISLATION
• LS: 15 members | RS: 15 members.
Functions:
• Scrutinises whether delegated legislation (rules, regulations, by‑laws) is within constitutional/legislative limits.
3. COMMITTEE ON PAPERS LAID ON THE TABLE
• LS: 15 members | RS: 10 members.
Functions:
• Checks delays, compliance, bilingual presentation of papers.
4. COMMITTEE ON WELFARE OF SCs/STs
• Composition: 30 members (20 LS + 10 RS).
• Tenure: 1 year.
Functions:
• Examines welfare measures of SC & ST across ministries.
5. COMMITTEE ON EMPOWERMENT OF WOMEN
• Composition: 30 members.
• Formed: 1997.
Functions:
• Monitors policies & programmes for women.
• Examines NCW reports.
6. JOINT COMMITTEE ON OFFICES OF PROFIT
• Composition: 15 members (10 LS + 5 RS).
Functions:
• Recommends which posts constitute “office of profit” under Article 102.
DAY‑TO‑DAY BUSINESS COMMITTEES
1. BUSINESS ADVISORY COMMITTEE
• LS: 15 members; Speaker as Chairman.
• RS: 11 members; Chairman ex‑officio.
Functions:
• Allocates time for government business.
2. COMMITTEE ON PRIVATE MEMBERS’ BILLS & RESOLUTIONS
• LS only: 15 members.
• Deputy Speaker is Chairman.
Functions:
• Allots time for private members’ bills.
• Screens constitutional amendment bills.
Note: No such committee in Rajya Sabha.
3. RULES COMMITTEE
• LS: 15 members; Speaker chairs.
• RS: 16 members; Chairman chairs.
Functions:
• Recommends amendments to Rules of Procedure.
4. COMMITTEE ON ABSENCE OF MEMBERS
• LS only: 15 members.
Functions:
• Examines long absences of MPs.
HOUSEKEEPING COMMITTEES
1. GENERAL PURPOSE COMMITTEE
• Speaker/Chairman is ex‑officio head.
• Advises on matters not assigned to other committees.
2. HOUSE COMMITTEE
• Manages MPs’ accommodation & hospitality.
3. LIBRARY COMMITTEE
• 9 members (6 LS + 3 RS).
• Supervises library services for MPs.
4. JOINT COMMITTEE ON SALARIES & ALLOWANCES
• 15 members (10 LS + 5 RS).
• Handles MPs’ salary, pension, allowances.
AD HOC COMMITTEES
TWO TYPES:
1. INQUIRY COMMITTEES
• Formed by motion in House or by Speaker/Chairman.
• Example: 2G Spectrum JPC, Bofors JPC.
2. ADVISORY COMMITTEES
Includes:
• Select Committees on Bills
• Joint Committees on Bills
Purpose: Examine Bills in detail before passage.
CONSULTATIVE COMMITTEES (Non‑Parliamentary)
• Attached to ministries.
• Informal discussion forum (not legislative).
• Chairman: Concerned minister.
• Members: from both Houses.
• Strength: 10–30.
• Created by Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs.
• Dissolved with every Lok Sabha.
INFORMAL CONSULTATIVE COMMITTEES (Railways)
• Formed for each Railway Zone.
• Meet only during Parliament sessions.
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Subject: Polity
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