Parliamentary Committees – Types and Roles

Parliamentary Committees and Their Roles: Parliamentary Committees are an essential component of the parliamentary form of governance in India. They provide valuable support to the legislature in discharging its duties and share a substantial amount of their workload. Their support includes supervision, control, and vigilance besides reducing the workload of the legislature. The committees also provide a better insight into the issues in discussion and conduct detailed scrutiny and analysis; they are a form of aid to the Parliament.

In this article, We have provided What are parliamentary Committees, Types of Parliamentary Committees – Standing Committees and Ad hoc Committees along with the roles of Parliamentary Committees.

What are Parliamentary Committees?

Parliamentary committees are specialized bodies within a parliamentary system that are formed to address specific functions and to facilitate the smooth functioning of the legislative process. These committees play a crucial role in supporting the broader parliamentary structure by allowing for in-depth examination, detailed analysis, and focused discussions on various issues. Their primary functions include supervision, control, vigilance, and reducing the workload of the main legislative body.

Historical Background on Parliamentary Committees

The establishment and evolution of parliamentary committees in India can be traced back to the colonial period, influenced by the British parliamentary system. During the Constituent Assembly’s deliberations, committees played a pivotal role in shaping the Indian Constitution. Post-independence, the Parliament of India recognized the need for specialized bodies to address governance complexities, leading to the formalization and systematic organization of various committees. Key reforms in the 1960s and 1970s, such as the Administrative Reforms Committee and the Ashok Mehta Committee, contributed to shaping the committee system. The legal framework, primarily derived from the Rules of Procedure in both Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha, further solidified the role of parliamentary committees. Today, these committees stand as essential instruments for oversight, scrutiny, and in-depth examination, playing a crucial role in ensuring accountability and contributing to the legislative process.

Types of Parliamentary Committees

Parliamentary Committees can be categorized into two groups, they are as follows:

• Standing Committees: The Standing Committees are permanent, they are formed according to Acts of Parliament. They work continuously and regularly.
• Ad hoc Committees: The Ad hoc parliamentary committees on the other hand are appointed only to look into specific issues, and they are dissolved when the purpose is fulfilled.

Standing Committees

The Standing Committees are further divided into six categories based on their functions:

1. Financial Committees
2. Departmental-Related Standing Committees
3. Committees to Inquire
4. Committee to scrutinize and control
5. Committees relating to the day-to-day business of the house
6. Service Committees or Housekeeping Committees

1. Financial Committees

The Public Accounts Committee, Estimate Committee, and the Committee on Public Undertakings together constitute the financial committees. These are the most important parliamentary committees in India.

• Public Accounts Committee (PAC): PAC is India’s oldest financial committee, set up in 1921.  The function of the committee is to examine the annual audit reports of the Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG) which are submitted before the Parliament by the President. The Committee also makes recommendations if the money spent in a financial year is more than the amount approved. The CAG helps the PAC in the fulfillment of these duties. The membership PAC consists of 22 members (15 from Lok Sabha and 7 from Rajya Sabha) elected by the two houses for a one-year term. The Chairman of the committee is appointed by the speaker from the opposition party.

Example of Public Accounts Committee: In 2010, the PAC played a crucial role in examining the 2G spectrum allocation scam. It scrutinized the irregularities in the allocation process, questioned officials, and made recommendations for improving transparency and accountability.

• Estimates Committee: This committee was set up for the first time in 1950. This Committee makes a detailed examination of the annual budget estimates to report the efficiency of the existing economic policies; it also suggests alternative policies to bring in reform. It also examines whether the money laid out is within the approved limits of the policy. This committee consists of 30 members who are elected from the Lok Sabha only for one year. The Chairman of the Committee is appointed from the ruling party by the Speaker of the Lok Sabha.’

Example of Estimates Committee: The Estimates Committee, through its regular examinations of budget estimates, provides oversight on government spending. In a specific instance, it may analyze the allocation and utilization of funds for a government project, ensuring financial prudence and efficiency.

• Committee on Public Undertakings: It was created in 1964, following the recommendation of the Krishna Menon Committee. This committee examines and scrutinizes the reports of the Public Undertakings and analyzes the reports of the CAG on public undertakings. It also ensures whether the public undertakings carry on their business ethically and morally. The membership of this committee consists of 22 members (15 from the Lok Sabha and 7 from the Rajya Sabha). The members are elected by the two houses, for a one-year term, and the chairman of the committee is appointed by the Speaker of the Lok Sabha.

Example of Committee on Public Undertakings: The committee reviews the functioning of public sector undertakings. For example, it may assess the financial health and ethical conduct of a government-owned company, making recommendations to improve governance and performance.

2. Departmental Related Standing Committees

At present, the number of Department-related Parliamentary Standing Committees is 24 out of which 16 are under the jurisdiction of the Speaker of the Lok Sabha and the rest 8 within the jurisdiction of the Chairman of the Rajya Sabha. Each Standing Committee has a membership of 31 members, of which 21 are members of the Lok Sabha and 10 from the Rajya Sabha nominated by the Speaker and Chairman of the respective Houses. Their term of office shall not exceed a year. The 24 Standing Committees cover under its purview all the ministries/departments of the central government. Ministers are not a part of these committees, key committees like those of Finance, Defense, Home are usually chaired by Opposition MP’s. These committees consider the Demands for Grants. They also examine Bills referred by the Chairman of the Rajya Sabha or the Speaker of the Lok Sabha. They also play a role in the consideration of the Annual reports.

3. Committees to Inquire

This committee can be divided into three categories.

• Committee on Petitions: This Committee examines all the petitions referred to it and also reports on specific complaints and suggests remedial measures.
• Committee of Privilege: They examine issues relating to the violation of privilege either of the House or the members of any committee. They also look into specific situations to analyse the violation of privilege and suggest recommendations accordingly.
• Committee on Ethics: They oversee the moral and ethical conduct of members.

4. Committee to scrutinize and control

Six types of committees are placed under this category.

• Committee on government assurances: They scrutinize the commitments and promises, made by Ministers from time to time and also ensure their smooth delivery by the ministers.
• Committee on subordinate Legislation: This committee scrutinizes and reports to the legislature whether the executive is utilizing its powers of making rules and laws efficiently which have been conferred to it by the constitution and delegated by the Parliament.
• Committee on Papers laid on the table: the role of this committee is to scrutinize papers laid down by the ministers.
• Committee on the welfare of SC’s and ST’s: It considers the reports of the National Commission for SC’s and National Commission for ST’s.
• Committee on Empowerment of Women: They analyse and scrutinize the reports of the National Commission for Women.
• Joint Committee on Offices of Profit: This parliamentary committee examines the composition and nature of committees and bodies, also ensures the eligibility of people in a position in these organizations.

Read more:

• Legislative Procedure in Parliament
• Joint Sitting of Both Houses of Parliament
• Cabinet System in India

5. Committees relating to the day-to-day business of the house

There are four categories of committees.

• Business Advisory Committee: It manages the time slots of the House, and introduces particular subjects for discussion.
• Committee on Private Members’ Bills and Resolutions: The main function of this committee is to assign time slots to private members to present their bills and resolutions before the House.
• Rules Committee: It looks after the proper conduct of the business in the House and ensures that Rules of Procedure are upheld. It also makes necessary amendments wherever necessary.
• Committee on the absence of members: It examines the leave application of the members of the Houses.

6. Service Committees or Housekeeping Committees

These committees are concerned with the Provision of Facilities and Services to the members.

• General Purposes Committee: This committee takes up issues that do not fall under the purview of any other Parliamentary Committee.
• House Committee: The facilities that are given to the members of the House, for instance, medical aid, food, etc. are looked after by this committee.
• Library Committee: The library of the House and the facilities attached to it are managed by this Committee.
• Joint Committee on Salaries and Allowances of Members: This committee looks after the salaries and allowances of the members of the House.

Ad-Hoc Committees

There are two types of ad-hoc committees. They are temporary, and they cease to exist once their purpose is fulfilled.

1. Inquiry Committees
2. Advisory Committees

1. Inquiry Committees

These committees can be proposed by either of the two houses to probe an inquiry into a matter. It can be appointed by the speaker/chairman of the respective houses.

Example of Inquiry Committees: : In 2013, the Lok Sabha constituted an ad-hoc Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) to inquire into the irregularities and alleged corruption in the allocation of coal blocks. The committee investigated the matter, interviewed witnesses, and submitted a comprehensive report with recommendations for reforming the coal block allocation process.

2. Advisory Committees

These committees report on particular bills. Select or Joint committees on bills are included in these committees. They follow a procedure distinct from the Inquiry Committees, as the procedure to be followed by them is laid down in the Rules of Procedure and the Directions provided by the speaker/chairman. Whenever a particular Bill is introduced in any House, the House refers it to the Select Committee to study the Bill clause by clause.

Example of Advisory Committees: When the Lokpal and Lokayuktas Bill, aimed at addressing corruption, was introduced in 2011, a Select Committee was formed to study the bill in detail. The committee, comprising members from both houses, provided recommendations and amendments to strengthen the legislation before its final approval.

Summary – Types of Parliamentary Committees and Their Roles

Indian Parliamentary Committees, encompassing both Standing Committees and Ad hoc Committees, play pivotal roles in the country’s governance. Standing Committees, divided into categories like Financial Committees and Departmental Related Standing Committees, provide ongoing supervision and scrutiny of various aspects, including financial matters and ministries. The Public Accounts Committee, a crucial financial committee, scrutinizes audit reports, ensuring transparency and fiscal responsibility. Ad hoc Committees, formed for specific purposes and dissolved upon completion, undertake tasks such as inquiries and advisories. Real-world examples, such as the PAC’s investigation into the 2G spectrum allocation scam, exemplify their roles in addressing critical issues. These committees serve as essential components in the Indian parliamentary system, contributing to accountability, oversight, and the efficient functioning of the government.

FAQs on Types of Parliamentary Committees and Their Roles

1. What are Parliamentary Committees?

Parliamentary Committees are specialized bodies within a parliamentary system designed to address specific functions, provide oversight, and assist in the legislative process.

2. What are the types of Parliamantary Committes?

Types of Parliamentary Committees include Standing Committees (permanent and continuous) and Ad hoc Committees (temporary, formed for specific issues).

3. What is the role of committees in the legislative process?

The role of committees in the legislative process involves detailed scrutiny, examination of issues, and focused analysis, allowing for in-depth consideration of matters like budget estimates, policies, and bills.

4. What is the impact of committee work on legislation and governance?

The impact of committee work is significant, fostering transparency, accountability, and informed decision-making. Committees contribute to the efficiency of the legislative process, ensuring thorough examination and enhancing the quality of governance.