PARLIAMENTARY COMMITTEE

SEBI Chairperson Madhabi Puri Buch was summoned by the Public Accounts Committee (PAC)  for a review of financial regulators but did not attend the meeting, citing personal reasons.

Parliamentary committees:

A Parliamentary Committee is a group of MPs, elected or nominated, that operates under the Lok Sabha Speaker or Rajya Sabha Chairman to present findings to the respective houses. Derived from the British model, it gets authority from the Constitution:

  • Article 105: Powers and privileges of Parliament, members, and committees.
  • Article 118: Rules for parliamentary procedures.

Classification of Parliamentary committees:

By their nature, Parliamentary Committees in India are of two kinds:

  • Standing committees.
  • Ad hoc committees.

Standing Committees

Permanent committees established by Parliament to address specific public policy or administrative areas. They are formed at the start of each Parliament session and continue until the session ends.

Key Standing Committees(Financial):

Name of Committee Number of Members Tenure Members Nominated or Elected
Estimates Committee 30 1 year Elected by the Lok Sabha
Public Accounts Committee 22 (15 LS + 7 RS) 1 year Elected by both Houses
Committee on Public Undertakings 22 (15 LS + 7 RS) 1 year Elected by both Houses

Notable Committees in Indian Parliament:

  1. Public Accounts Committee (PAC):
    • One of the most powerful committees, responsible for auditing government spending and ensuring public funds are used efficiently.
  2. Estimates Committee:
    • Examines the expenditure of ministries to ensure funds are used effectively.
  3. Committee on Public Undertakings (COPU):
    • Monitors public sector enterprises, examining their functioning and financial health.
  4. Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC):
    • Formed for investigating specific issues of national importance, such as the 2G spectrum scam or the Bofors case.

Public Accounts Committee (PAC)

  • Purpose: Audits the revenue and expenditure of the Government of India, acting as a financial watchdog.
  • Primary Function: Examines the audit report of the Comptroller and Auditor General (C&AG), ensuring funds granted by Parliament are used appropriately.
  • Assistance: C&AG supports the committee during investigations.

Genesis

  • Established in 1921; became a Parliamentary Committee under the Speaker in 1950. Initially led by the Finance Member; now overseen by the Lok Sabha Secretariat.
  • The Chairperson is usually from the Opposition, a practice since 1967.

Membership

  • Consists of 22 members (15 from Lok Sabha, 7 from Rajya Sabha), elected annually through proportional representation.
  • Members serve a one-year term, and ministers cannot be part of the committee.

Functions

  • Reviews government accounts, finance accounts, and C&AG reports.
  • Ensures spending aligns with legal appropriations, authority, and re-appropriation rules.
  • Evaluates the efficiency, faithfulness, and economy of expenditures, including irregularities and losses.

Other Standing Committees:

  • Committees to Inquire:
    • Committees on Petitions and Privileges
    • Ethics Committee
  • Committees to Scrutinize and Control:
    • Committees on Government Assurances, Subordinate Legislation, Papers Laid on the Table, Welfare of SCs/STs, Empowerment of Women
    • Joint Committee on Offices of Profit
  • Committees Relating to the Day-to-Day Business of the House:
    • Business Advisory Committee
    • Rules Committee
    • Committee on Private Members’ Bills and Resolutions
    • Committee on Absence of Members from Sittings of the House
  • House-Keeping Committees or Service Committees:
    • General Purposes Committee
    • House Committee
    • Library Committee
    • Joint Committee on Salaries and Allowances of Members
  • Departmental Standing Committees:
    • Committees on Commerce, Home Affairs, Human Resource Development, Industry, etc.

Ad hoc Committees Temporary committees set up for specific purposes and a limited duration. They disband once their task is completed.

Types of Ad hoc Committees:

  • Inquiry Committees
  • Advisory Committees

Principal Ad hoc Committees: Select and Joint Committees on Bills, Railway Convention Committee, Joint Committee on Food Management in Parliament House Complex, etc.

Powers and Functions of Parliamentary Committees

  • Reviewing Government Work: Examine government policies, programs, and suggest improvements.
  • Summoning Authority: Can summon ministers and officials to testify and answer questions.
  • Bill Examination: Review bills in detail before they are passed into law.
  • Making Recommendations: Suggest amendments to ensure bills align with the Constitution and laws

Issues and Challenges of Parliamentary Committees

  • Limited Resources: Committees lack dedicated research support, relying on minimal secretariat assistance.
  • No Enforcement Power: Committees can’t enforce recommendations or take action on non-compliance.
  • Political Influence: External pressures may compromise their impartiality.
  • Low MP Participation: Inadequate member attendance limits effectiveness (e.g., 49% attendance in DRSCs during 2009–14).
  • Fewer Sittings: Limited sessions restrict comprehensive scrutiny (e.g., 37 days in the 1st session of the 17th Lok Sabha).
  • Limited Budget Debate: Only a fraction of the budget is discussed in detail (17% in the 16th Lok Sabha).
  • Delayed Formation: Slow establishment of DRSCs, as seen in the 18th Lok Sabha.
  • Lack of Detailed Scrutiny: Limited capacity for thorough review, with only 17% of the budget discussed in the 16th Lok Sabha.

Parliamentary Committees are vital for ensuring robust democratic processes, legislative scrutiny, and government accountability. Their role in shaping public policy and administration remains crucial for India’s democratic governance, enhancing the functioning of Parliament and promoting transparency.

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