Parliamentary committees form an integral part of the legislative process in India, playing a crucial role in scrutinizing government actions, examining bills, and ensuring accountability. These committees serve as pillars of parliamentary democracy, facilitating detailed deliberations on various issues to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of governance.
A Parliamentary Committee consists of a group of Members of Parliament (MPs) who are appointed, elected, or nominated by the House or the Speaker/Chairman. These committees operate under the guidance of the Speaker/Chairman and submit their reports to the House or the respective authority.
Parliamentary Committees trace their roots back to the British Parliament and derive their authority from Article 105 and Article 118 of the Constitution. Article 105 pertains to the privileges of MPs, while Article 118 grants Parliament the power to establish rules governing its procedures and conduct of business.
Need of Parliament
The initiation of legislative business in either House of Parliament typically begins with the introduction of a Bill. However, the legislative process can be intricate, and Parliament often faces constraints in terms of time for thorough discussions. Additionally, escalating political polarization and a diminishing middle ground have resulted in increasingly contentious and inconclusive debates within Parliament.
As a result of these challenges, a significant portion of legislative business is now conducted within Parliamentary Committees instead.
Various Committees of Parliament
India’s Parliament encompasses various types of committees, which can be distinguished based on their functions, composition, and duration of operation. Broadly, there are two main categories of Parliamentary Committees: Standing Committees and Ad Hoc Committees.
Standing Committees are permanent in nature, established annually or periodically, and operate continuously. They can be categorized into six main types: Financial Committees, Departmental Standing Committees, Committees of Enquiry, Committees of Scrutiny and Control, Committees Dealing with Daily House Business, and Housekeeping or Service Committees.
On the other hand, Ad Hoc Committees are temporary and are dissolved upon completion of their assigned tasks. They are further subdivided into Inquiry Committees and Advisory Committees. Notable Ad Hoc Committees include Select and Joint Committees on Bills.
Importance of Parliamentary Committees
- Providing Legislative Expertise: Given that most Members of Parliament lack specialized knowledge on various topics, parliamentary committees offer a platform for MPs to seek expertise and thoroughly analyze issues before making decisions. This allows for informed decision-making and a deeper understanding of complex matters.
- Acting as a Mini-Parliament: Parliamentary committees are composed of MPs from different political parties, reflecting the diversity of Parliament. Members are elected into these committees through a system of single transferable vote, ensuring proportional representation. This setup resembles the composition of Parliament itself, making committees akin to mini-parliaments.
- Instrument for Detailed Scrutiny: When bills are referred to parliamentary committees, they undergo rigorous examination, with input sought from a range of external stakeholders, including the public. This detailed scrutiny ensures that proposed legislation is thoroughly reviewed and scrutinized before being enacted into law.
- Providing a Check on the Government: While committee recommendations are not binding on the government, they serve as a public record of consultations and can exert pressure on the government to reconsider its stance on contentious issues. Additionally, the closed-door nature of committee meetings fosters collaborative discussions among MPs, away from the pressures of public scrutiny.
Problem with Parliamentary Committees
- Diminishing the Role of Parliamentary Committees: The bypassing of Parliamentary committees during the enactment of important laws undermines the principle of parliamentary oversight, weakening the democratic process.
- Emphasis on Brute Majority: In the Indian context, the decision to refer bills to committees is not obligatory but rather discretionary, vested in the Chair, namely the Speaker in the Lok Sabha and the Chairperson in the Rajya Sabha. This discretionary power becomes particularly concerning in a Lok Sabha where the ruling party holds a significant majority, potentially diminishing the effectiveness of parliamentary scrutiny.
Requiring scrutiny for important bills is not a hindrance but a crucial aspect of the legislative process. It is essential for maintaining the quality of legislation and, consequently, the standard of governance. Therefore, a robust parliamentary committee system is imperative to uphold the integrity of Parliament in the law-making process.
Also read about Cabinet Committees and Central Council of Minister.