Classification Of Parliamentary Committees
The Parliament's responsibilities are numerous, complex, and extensive. Furthermore, it lacks the necessary time and expertise to conduct a thorough examination of all legislative and other matters. As a result, a number of committees assist it in carrying out its responsibilities.
The Indian Constitution mentions these committees in several places, but makes no specific provisions regarding their composition, tenure, or functions. The rules of two Houses govern all of these issues. As a result, a parliamentary committee is defined as one that:
1. Is nominated by the Speaker / Chairman or appointed or elected by the House.
2. Follows the Speaker / Chairman's instructions.
3. Delivers its report to the House of Representatives or the Speaker / Chairman.
4. Is the Lok Sabha / Rajya Sabha providing a secretariat?
Consultative committees, which include members of Parliament, are not parliamentary committees because they do not meet the four criteria listed above. Standing Committees and Ad Hoc Committees are the two types of parliamentary committees. The former are permanent (formed every year or on a regular basis) and work continuously, whereas the latter are temporary and cease to exist once the task assigned to them is completed.
Standing Committees
On the basis of the nature of functions performed by them, standing committees can be classified into the following six categories:
1. Financial Committees
(a) Public Accounts Committee
(b) Estimates Committee
(c) Committee on Public Undertakings
2. Departmental Standing Committees (24)
3. Committees to Inquire
(a) Committee on Petitions
(b) Committee of Privileges
(c) Ethics Committee
4. Committees to Scrutinise and Control
(a) Committee on Government Assurances
(b) Committee on Subordinate Legislation
(c) Committee on Papers Laid on the Table
(d) Committee on Welfare of SCs and STs
(e) Committee on Empowerment of Women
(f) Joint Committee3 on Offices of Profit
5. Committees Relating to the Day-to-Day Business of the House
(a) Business Advisory Committee
(b) Committee on Private Members’ Bills and Resolutions
(c) Rules Committee
(d) Committee on Absence of Members from Sittings of the House
6. House-Keeping Committees or Service Committees (i.e., Committees concerned with the Provi¬sion of Facilities and Services to Members):
(a) General Purposes Committee
(b) House Committee
(c) Library Committee
(d) Joint Committee on Salaries and Allowances of Members
Inquiry Committees and Advisory Committees are the two types of ad hoc committees available. To inquire into and report on specific subjects, Inquiry Committees are formed from time to time, either by the two Houses on a motion adopted in that regard, or by the Speaker / Chairman. Joint Committee on Stock Market Scam, for example. Select or joint committees on bills, which are appointed to consider and report on specific bills, are examples of advisory committees. These committees are distinct from the other ad hoc committees in that they deal with bills, and the procedure they must follow is outlined in the Rules of Procedure and the Speaker's/Directions. Chairman's
When a Bill comes up for general debate in a House, that House has the option of referring it to a Select Committee of the House or a Joint Committee of the two Houses. In the House where the Bill is being debated, a motion to this effect must be moved and adopted. If the motion to refer the Bill to a Joint Committee is approved, the decision is communicated to the other House, with members of the other House being asked to nominate members to serve on the Committee.
The Select or Joint Committee, like the two Houses, examines the Bill clause by clause. Members of the Committee can propose amendments to various clauses. Associations, public bodies, and experts with an interest in the Bill can also testify before the Committee. The Committee then submits its report to the House after considering the Bill. Members who disagree with the majority report may add their dissenting minutes to the document.
1. Financial Committees
A. Public Accounts Committee (Pac)
The committee's job is to look over the Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG) annual audit reports, which are presented to Parliament by the President. The CAG presents the President with three audit reports: an audit report on appropriation accounts, an audit report on finance accounts, and an audit report on public undertakings.
B. Estimates Committee
The committee's responsibilities is to report on how economies, organisational improvements, efficiency, and administrative reform, all of which are consistent with the policy that underpins the estimates, can be impacted and to propose alternative policies in order to improve administrative efficiency and economy.
C. Committee On Public Undertakings
The committee's responsibilities includes examining reports and accounts of public undertakings and examine the Comptroller and Auditor General's reports on public undertakings
2. Departmental Standing Committees
In 1993, the Parliament established 17 Departmentally-Related Standing Committees (DRSCs) on the recommendation of the Lok Sabha Rules Committee. Seven more such committees were established in 2004, bringing the total number of such committees to 24.
The main goal of the standing committees is to ensure that the Executive (i.e., the Council of Ministers) is more accountable to Parliament, particularly in terms of financial accountability. They also assist Parliament in more effectively debating the budget.
3. Committees To Inquire
A. Committee On Petitions
This committee looks into petitions for bills and other matters of public concern. It also receives representations from individuals and organisations on matters concerning Union subjects. The Lok Sabha committee is made up of 15 members, while the Rajya Sabha committee is made up of ten.
B. Committee Of Privileges
This committee's functions are semi-judicial in nature. It investigates cases of breaches of the House's and its members' privileges and makes recommendations for appropriate action. The Lok Sabha committee is made up of 15 members, while the Rajya Sabha committee is made up of ten.
C. Ethics Committee
The Rajya Sabha established this committee in 1997, and the Lok Sabha established it in 2000. It is in charge of enforcing the members of Parliament's code of conduct. It investigates cases of misconduct and makes recommendations for corrective action. As a result, it is tasked with maintaining order and decorum in the House of Commons.
4. Committees To Scrutinise And Control
A. Committee On Government Assurances
This committee investigates ministers' assurances, promises, and undertakings made on the House floor from time to time, and reports on the extent to which they have been kept. It is composed of 15 members in the Lok Sabha and 10 members in the Rajya Sabha. It was established in 1953.
B. Committee On Subordinate Legislation
This committee investigates and reports to the House on whether the Executive is properly exercising the powers to make regulations, rules, sub-rules, and bye-laws delegated by Parliament or conferred by the Constitution. The committee consists of 15 members in both Houses. It was established in 1953.
C. Committee On Papers Laid On The Table
In 1975, this committee was formed. The Lok Sabha Committee is made up of 15 members, while the Rajya Sabha Committee is made up of ten. It examines all ministerial papers laid on the table of the House to see if they are in compliance with the Constitution, or any related Act or Rule. It does not look into statutory notifications and orders that fall under the Committee on Subordinate Legislation's jurisdiction.
D. Committee on Welfare of SCs and STs
This committee is made up of 30 people (20 from Lok Sabha and 10 from Rajya Sabha). Its functions are to: I consider the reports of the National Commissions for SCs and STs; and (ii) examine all matters relating to the welfare of SCs and STs, such as the implementation of constitutional and statutory safeguards, the operation of welfare programmes, and so on.
E. Committee On Empowerment Of Women
This committee, which was formed in 1997, has 30 members (20 from Lok Sabha and 10 from Rajya Sabha). It considers the National Commission on Women's reports and assesses the Union Government's efforts to ensure women's status, dignity, and equality in all areas.
F. Joint Committee On Offices Of Profit
This committee examines the composition and character of committees and other bodies appointed by the federal, state, and union territory governments, and makes recommendations on whether or not people who hold these positions should be barred from running for Parliament. It has a total of 15 members (10 from Lok Sabha and 5 from Rajya Sabha).
5. Committees Related To Day-To-Day Business
A. Business Advisory Committee
This committee oversees the House's agenda and timetable. It sets aside time for the government's legislative and other business to be dealt with in the House. The Lok Sabha committee is made up of 15 members, with the Speaker serving as its chairman. There are 11 members in the Rajya Sabha, including the Chairman, who serves as its ex-officio chairman.
B. Committee On Private Members’ Bills And Resolutions
This committee categorises bills and schedules time for debate on bills and resolutions proposed by private members (other than ministers). This is a Lok Sabha special committee with 15 members, including the Deputy Speaker as its chairman. There is no such committee in the Rajya Sabha. The House's Business Advisory Committee performs the same function in the Rajya Sabha.
C. Rules Committee
This committee considers matters of procedure and business conduct in the House and makes recommendations for necessary amendments or additions to the House rules. The Lok Sabha committee has 15 members, including the Speaker, who serves as the committee's ex-officio chairman. The Rajya Sabha is made up of 16 members, with the Chairman serving as ex-officio chairman.
D. Committee On Absence Of Members
This committee considers all requests for leave of absence from House sessions, as well as members who have been absent for 60 days or more without permission. It is a Lok Sabha special committee comprised of 15 members. In the Rajya Sabha, there is no such committee, and all such matters are handled by the House itself.
6. House-Keeping Committees
A. General Purposes Committee
This committee considers and advises on matters relating to the House's business that are not covered by any other parliamentary committee. This committee in each House consists of the presiding officer (Speaker / Chairman) as ex-officio chairman, the Deputy Speaker (Deputy Chairman in the case of Rajya Sabha), members of the panel of chairpersons (panel of vice-chairpersons in the case of Rajya Sabha), chairpersons of all the House's departmental standing committees, leaders of recognised parties and groups, and such other members as the presiding officer nominates.
B. House Committee
This committee is responsible for members' residential accommodations in Delhi, as well as other amenities such as food, medical assistance, and other services provided to them in their homes and hostels. House Committees exist in both chambers of Congress. There are 12 members in the Lok Sabha.
C. Library Committee
This committee considers all matters pertaining to the Parliamentary Library and assists members in making use of the library's resources. It is made up of nine people (six from Lok Sabha and three from Rajya Sabha).
D. Joint Committee on Salaries And Allowances Of Members
The Salary, Allowances, and Pension of Members of Parliament Act of 1954 established this committee. It has a total of 15 members (10 from Lok Sabha and 5 from Rajya Sabha). It establishes guidelines for the payment of members of Parliament's salaries, allowances, and pensions.
What are Consulatative Committees?
Various ministries and departments of the Central Government have consultative committees. They are made up of members from both Houses of Parliament. The chairman of the consultative committee of the ministry in question is the Minister / Minister of State in charge of that ministry.
These committees serve as a forum for informal discussions between ministers and members of Parliament about the government's policies and programmes, as well as how they are implemented.
The Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs appoints these committees. This Ministry establishes guidelines for the composition, functions, and procedures of these committees. The Ministry also arranges for their meetings to take place during Parliament's session and intersession periods.
The membership of these committees is entirely voluntary, and it is up to the members and party leaders to decide. A committee can have a maximum of 30 members and a minimum of 10.
These committees are usually formed after the new Lok Sabha is formed, which occurs after the Lok Sabha General Elections. In other words, these committees will be dissolved after each Lok Sabha is dissolved and reconstituted after each Lok Sabha is reconstituted.
In addition, for each Railway Zone, separate Informal Consultative Committees of Members of Parliament have been formed. Members of Parliament from the area covered by a particular Railway Zone are nominated to serve on the Railway Zone's Informal Consultative Committee.
The meetings of the Informal Consultative Committees, unlike the Consultative Committees attached to various ministries/departments, are only to be held during the session periods.