Parliamentary Committees play a vital role in the parliamentary system, acting as a vibrant link between Parliament, the Executive and the general public.
Parliament is a large and unwieldy body whose functions are varied, complex and voluminous. Given its limited time and lack of specialised expertise in every field, it is difficult for Parliament to undertake detailed scrutiny of all legislative, financial and administrative matters on the floor of the House. Therefore, Parliament is assisted by a number of committees that facilitate detailed scrutiny, specialised deliberation and effective discharge of its responsibilities
Parliamentary committees draw their constitutional authority primarily from Article 105 and Article 118 of the Constitution of India. While the Constitution mentions these committees in several places, it does not lay down detailed provisions regarding their composition, tenure, or specific functions.These matters are governed primarily by the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business of the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha.
A committee is regarded as a Parliamentary Committee when it satisfies the following conditions:
Essence
Appointment/Election by House → Works under Presiding Officer → Reports to House/Presiding Officer → Parliamentary Secretariat Support
Consultative Committees consist of Members of Parliament, but they are not Parliamentary Committees because they do not fulfil all the above four conditions required for a Parliamentary Committee.
The Committees may be classified as Ad hoc Committees and Standing Committees.
They are further subdivided into Inquiry Committees and Advisory Committees.
1.Inquiry Committees
2.Advisory Committees
When a Bill comes before a House for general discussion, the House may refer it to:
A motion for such reference must be moved and adopted by the House considering the Bill. Where a Bill is referred to a Joint Committee, the decision is communicated to the other House, which is requested to nominate its members to serve on the Committee.
The Committee:
Members who disagree with the majority view may append a Minute of Dissent to the Committee's report.
On the basis of the nature of functions performed by them,Standing Committees can be classified into the following six categories::
| Feature | Public Accounts Committee | Estimates Committee | Committee on Public Undertakings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Composition | 22 Members (15 LS + 7 RS) | 30 Members (Only LS) | 22 Members (15 LS + 7 RS) |
| Set up on the Recommendation of | — | John Mathai (First Finance Minister of Independent India) | Krishna Menon Committee |
| Ministers Eligible? | No | No | No |
| Tenure | 1 Year | 1 Year | 1 Year |
| Chairperson | Convention: Opposition MP (appointed by Speaker) | Appointed by Speaker (usually ruling party) | Appointed by Speaker |
| Focus | Money Already Spent | Money Yet to be Spent | Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs) |
| Examines | CAG Reports, Appropriation Accounts & Finance Accounts | Budget Estimates of Ministries | Reports & Accounts of PSUs and CAG Reports relating to PSUs |
| Main Objective | Ensures parliamentary grants have been spent legally and for the sanctioned purpose | Examines the estimates included in the budget & suggest economies in public expenditure. | Evaluates performance, efficiency and management of Public Sector Undertakings |
| Nature | Post-expenditure Audit | Pre-expenditure Examination | Performance Review of PSUs |
| Special Point | CAG is the "Guide, Friend and Philosopher" of PAC | Largest Financial Committee | Does not examine matters of major government policy or day-to-day administration of PSUs |
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Constituted | 1993 |
| Recommendation | Rules Committee of the Lok Sabha |
| Initially | 17 DRSCs |
| Present Strength | 24 DRSCs (since 2004) |
| Composition | 31 Members (21 Lok Sabha + 10 Rajya Sabha) |
| Members Nominated By | Speaker of Lok Sabha (LS Members) and Chairman of Rajya Sabha (RS Members) |
| Ministers Eligible? | No |
| Tenure | 1 Year |
| Main Functions | Examine Demands for Grants • Scrutinise Bills referred to them • Examine Annual Reports of Ministries • Consider long-term policy documents |
| Do Not Examine | Day-to-day administration • Matters of policy under active consideration by the Government |
| Purpose | Strengthen legislative scrutiny and enhance executive accountability |
| Committee | Composition | Chairperson | Main Function |
|---|---|---|---|
| Committee on Petitions | Lok Sabha: 15 Members Rajya Sabha: 10 Members | Appointed by the Speaker (LS) / Chairman (RS) | • Examines petitions on bills and on matters of general public importance. • Entertains representations from individuals and associations on matters relating to Union subjects. |
| Committee of Privileges | Lok Sabha: 15 Members Rajya Sabha: 10 Members | Appointed by the Speaker (LS) / Chairman (RS) | • Examines cases involving breach of parliamentary privilege and recommends appropriate action. • Functions of this committee are semi-judicial in nature. |
| Ethics Committee | Lok Sabha: 15 Members Rajya Sabha: 10 Members | Appointed by the Speaker (LS) / Chairman (RS) | • Examines the cases of misconduct and recommends appropriate action. |
| Committee | Composition | Main Function |
|---|---|---|
| Committee on Government Assurances | Lok Sabha: 15 members Rajya Sabha: 10 members | • Examines assurances, promises and undertakings given by ministers on the floor of the House and checks whether they have been implemented. |
| Committee on Subordinate Legislation | Lok Sabha: 15 members Rajya Sabha: 15 members | • Examines whether rules, regulations, bye-laws and other forms of delegated legislation made by the Executive remain within the authority granted by Parliament. |
| Committee on Papers Laid on the Table | Lok Sabha: 15 members Rajya Sabha: 10 members | • Examines whether all papers laid before the House comply with constitutional, statutory and procedural requirements. |
| Committee on the Welfare of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes | 30 members: 20 Lok Sabha + 10 Rajya Sabha | • Examines reports of the National Commissions for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes and examines all matters relating to the welfare of SCs and STs. |
| Committee on Empowerment of Women | 30 members: 20 Lok Sabha + 10 Rajya Sabha | • Examines reports of the National Commission for Women and reviews measures taken by the Union Government for the welfare, equality and empowerment of women. |
| Joint Committee on Offices of Profit | 15 members: 10 Lok Sabha + 5 Rajya Sabha | • Examines committees/offices, membership of which may disqualify a person for being chosen as, and for being, a member of either House of Parliament under Article 102 of the Constitution. • Recommends which offices should or should not disqualify an MP. |
| Committee | Composition | Functions / Mandate |
|---|---|---|
| Business Advisory Committee | • Lok Sabha: 15 Members • Speaker is ex officio Chairperson • Rajya Sabha: 11 Members • Chairman is ex officio Chairperson | • Recommends the programme and timetable for the business of the House. |
| Rules Committee | • Lok Sabha: 15 Members • Speaker is ex officio Chairperson • Rajya Sabha: 16 Members • Chairman is ex officio Chairperson | • Considers matters relating to the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business. • Recommends amendments or additions to the Rules. |
| Committee on Private Members' Bills and Resolutions | • Lok Sabha: 15 Members (Deputy Speaker is Chairperson) • No corresponding committee in Rajya Sabha. Same function is performed by the Business Advisory Committee of the Rajya Sabha. | • Examines and classifies Private Members' Bills. • Recommends allocation of time for discussion of Private Members' Bills and Resolutions. |
| Committee on Absence of Members from the Sittings of the House | • Lok Sabha: 15 Members • No corresponding committee in Rajya Sabha. | • Examines applications for leave of absence from House sittings. • Considers cases where a Member remains absent for 60 days or more without permission and recommends appropriate action. |
| Committee | Composition | Functions / Mandate |
|---|---|---|
| General Purposes Committee | • Chaired by the Speaker in Lok Sabha and the Chairman in Rajya Sabha. • Other members include the Deputy Speaker/Deputy Chairman, panel of Chairpersons/Vice-Chairpersons, Chairpersons of DRSCs, leaders of recognised parties/groups and members nominated by the Presiding Officer. | Advises the Presiding Officer on matters concerning the affairs of the House that do not fall within the jurisdiction of any other Parliamentary Committee. |
| House Committee | • Lok Sabha: 12 Members • Rajya Sabha: Strength is not fixed | Deals with residential accommodation and other amenities provided to Members of Parliament. |
| Library Committee | • 9 Members: 6 Lok Sabha + 3 Rajya Sabha | Considers matters relating to the Parliament Library and library services. |
| Joint Committee on Salaries and Allowances of Members of Parliament | • 15 Members: 10 Lok Sabha + 5 Rajya Sabha • Constituted under the Salary, Allowances and Pension of Members of Parliament Act, 1954. | Frames rules relating to salaries, allowances, pension and other facilities of Members of Parliament under the relevant law. |
FAQs
1. What is a Parliamentary Committee?
A Parliamentary Committee is a body appointed or elected by a House of Parliament, or nominated by its presiding officer, which works under the presiding officer’s direction and submits its report to the House or the Speaker or Chairman.
2. What is the constitutional basis of Parliamentary Committees?
Parliamentary Committees primarily derive their constitutional authority from Article 105, relating to parliamentary privileges, and Article 118, which empowers each House to make rules regulating its procedure and conduct of business.
3. Does the Constitution provide detailed rules for Parliamentary Committees?
No. The Constitution refers to committees in certain contexts but does not prescribe their detailed composition, tenure or functioning. These matters are mainly governed by the Rules of Procedure of the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha.
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