Parliamentary Committees - Indian Parliament

Parliamentary Committees (పార్లమెంట్ సంఘాలు)

In the Parliamentary system, formulating laws and overseeing financial administration are the main functions of Parliament.
As government activities and the volume of government expenditure have been increasing day by day, and due to changing technology making administration more complex, Parliament has been unable to effectively manage these tasks due to lack of time. As a result, pressure is put on Parliament's valuable time, and governance becomes weak.
Therefore, committees comprising of expert and competent members are formed on behalf of Parliament to continuously monitor administration.
The Indian Constitution does not have special provisions regarding Parliamentary Committees. However, there is indirect mention of these in Articles 88 and 105. Parliamentary Committees can be described as follows:
1. a) This committee is elected by the House or selected by the presiding officers.
2. b) Each committee functions under the chairmanship of a chairman.
3. c) The committee submits its report to the Speaker or Chairman.
4. d) Each committee utilizes the office provided by the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha.
5. e) For each committee, the Secretary/Secretary General of Lok Sabha/Rajya Sabha acts as secretary.

Characteristics - Structure of Parliamentary Committees (పార్లమెంటరీ కమిటీల లక్షణాలు - నిర్మాణం):

Membership in Parliamentary Committees is based on proportional representation according to the numerical strength of the respective parties.
Members of Parliamentary Committees are either elected by a resolution in the respective Houses or appointed by the presiding officers.
Members of Financial Committees are elected by proportional representation through a single transferable vote system.
The chairman of these committees is appointed by the respective presiding officer. If the Lok Sabha Speaker/Deputy Speaker or Rajya Sabha Chairman/Deputy Chairman is a member of the committee, they act as the chairman of that committee.
Quorum is considered to be 1/3rd of the total members in the committee.

Types of Parliamentary Committees (పార్లమెంటరీ కమిటీలు - రకాలు):

There are 2 types of committees in India:
1. 1. Standing Committees (స్థాయి కమిటీలు)
2. 2. Adhoc Committees (తాత్కాలిక కమిటీలు)

1. Standing Committees (స్థాయి కమిటీలు):

Elected by the respective Houses or selected by the presiding officers.
They function continuously.
Members keep changing.

2. Adhoc Committees (తాత్కాలిక కమిటీలు):

Formed as per need at various times.
These are constituted by the presiding officers through resolutions of the Houses.
These are dissolved as soon as they submit their report.

Types of Standing Committees (స్థాయి కమిటీలు రకాలు):

Standing committees are of 2 types:
1. a) Ordinary Committees (సాధారణ కమిటీలు)
2. b) Financial Committees (ఆర్థిక కమిటీలు)
Committees that examine non-financial matters are called "Ordinary Committees".
Committees that examine only financial matters are called "Financial Committees".

A) Ordinary Committees (సాధారణ కమిటీలు):

A) Service Committees (సేవా సంఘాలు):

(i) Committee on Salaries and Allowances (సభ్యుల జీత భత్యాల సంఘం):

This is a joint committee, consisting of 15 members in total.
10 members from Lok Sabha and 5 members from Rajya Sabha are represented.
Formulates rules and regulations regarding members' salaries and allowances.
It is the only committee that elects its own chairman.
This association was established as per the Salaries, Allowances and Pensions of Members of Parliament Act, 1954.
Committee term - 1 year.

(ii) General Purpose Committee (సాధారణ ప్రయోజనాల సంఘం):

As per the direction of the House, this committee's duty is to consider matters related to House proceedings and provide appropriate advice from time to time.
In the course of formulating these suggestions, if any new aspect comes to light, it informs the Speaker with a special report.
Both Houses separately constitute General Purpose Committees.
In Lok Sabha, the Speaker (Ex-officio Chairman) appoints this association under his leadership.
In Rajya Sabha, the Rajya Sabha Chairman, acting as Ex-officio Chairman for this association, appoints members.
Speaker, Deputy Speaker, members in the Vice-Chairmen's Panel, heads of all parliamentary standing committees, leaders of parties recognized by the House, and other members appointed by the Speaker are in this association.
Committee term is not specifically decided.
It continues until a new committee is formed with new members.

(iii) House Committee (సభా సంఘం):

This committee takes measures regarding accommodation facilities, food, medical facilities, etc., to be provided to Parliament members in Delhi.
Each House has a separate House Committee.
In Lok Sabha, this association has 12 members.
Committee term - 1 year.

(iv) Library Committee (గ్రంథాలయ సంఘం):

This is a joint committee. This committee has a representation of 9 members in total, with 6 from Lok Sabha and 3 from Rajya Sabha.
'Parliament Library' and matters related to the facilities and services to be provided to Parliament members therein are examined by this association.
This association oversees library facilities.
Committee term - 1 year.
Smallest committee among Parliament committees.

B) House Committees (సభా సంఘాలు):

(i) Business Advisory Committees (సభా వ్యవహారాల సలహా కమిటీలు):

These committees are different for both Houses.
In Lok Sabha, this committee has 15 members.
In Rajya Sabha, this committee has 11 members.
These are appointed by the respective presiding officers.
The respective presiding officers act as ex-officio chairmen for these committees.
This committee recommends time allocation for discussion at various stages for government bills and other legislative business-related House proceedings, and by what time discussion should conclude.

(ii) Committee on Absence of Members (సభ్యుల గైర్హాజరు కమిటీ):

This committee is specific to Lok Sabha.
It has 15 members.
Examines members' leave applications, permission letters, and documents.
It examines if any member has been absent from Lok Sabha for 60 days without permission.
Announces the seat of a member vacant if they have been absent for more than 60 days.
No such association exists in Rajya Sabha.
Rajya Sabha decides on the absence of Rajya Sabha members by considering the House as a whole and makes a decision on it.
Committee term - 1 year.

(iii) Rules Committee (నియమాల సంఘం):

Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha have separate committees.
Lok Sabha has 16 members, and Rajya Sabha has 16 members.
These are nominated by the Speaker.
The respective presiding officers act as ex-officio chairmen for these committees.
This committee recommends appropriate amendments to the rules and procedures related to House proceedings.
Committee term is not specifically decided.
It continues until a new committee is formed again.

(iv) Committee on Private Members' Bills and Resolutions (ప్రైవేట్ సభ్యుల బిల్లుల, తీర్మానాలపై కమిటీ):

This is an association specific to Lok Sabha.
It consists of 15 members, including the Deputy Speaker.
The Deputy Speaker presides over this association.
This association's duty is to allocate time in the House regarding private members' bills and resolutions and to classify bills.
No such special committee exists in Rajya Sabha.
The Business Advisory Committee in Rajya Sabha takes these decisions.
Committee term - 1 year.

C) Enquiry Committees (విచారణ సంఘాలు):

(i) Committee on Petition (విజ్ఞాపన కమిటీ):

Lok Sabha has 15 members, while Rajya Sabha has 10 members.
The chairmen of this committee are appointed by the respective presiding officers.
Examines petitions submitted by both Houses and citizens and suggests how to resolve them. This committee is called Ombudsman or Vigilance Committee.
Committee term is not specifically decided.
It continues until a new committee is formed again.

(ii) Committee on Privilege of Members (సభా హక్కుల కమిటీ):

Lok Sabha has 15 members, and Rajya Sabha has 10 members.
Suggests actions to be taken against members if anyone behaves in a manner that disrespects the dignity of the House.
Both Houses have separate committees.
Presiding officers appoint members.
This committee performs quasi-judicial functions.
Has extensive powers.
Protects the rights and status of Parliament members.
This committee has no specific term.
It continues until a new committee is formed again.

Example:

On February 13, 2014, the Speaker directed the Committee on Privileges to inquire into the incident of pepper spray being sprayed in the Lok Sabha and submit a report.
Speaker issued this order under Rule 227, Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business.

Privileges Committee - Roja Case (సభాహక్కుల సంఘం - రోజాకేస్):

Andhra Pradesh Legislative Assembly suspended Roja, a YSRCP member, for one year under Section 212 for some remarks made by Roja, a member of Telugu Desam, regarding Anita. With this, Roja went to court.
The court left the power to review the suspension and the final decision to the Speaker and the State Assembly.
The Committee on Privileges conducted an inquiry on this matter. In 2017, the Committee recommended suspending Nagari MLA Roja for another year.

D) Scrutiny Committees (పర్యవేక్షణ కమిటీలు):

(i) Committee on Government Assurances (ప్రభుత్వ హామీల కమిటీ):

Government Assurances Committees are formed separately for both Houses.
Lok Sabha has 15 members, and Rajya Sabha has 10 members.
During Question Hour, on bills, on resolutions, during discussions, ministers give various types of assurances.
This committee examines the implementation of these assurances and related matters.
This association was established in 1953.
Committee term - 1 year.

(ii) Committee on Delegated Legislation (దత్త శాసనాల కమిటీ - నియోజిత శాసనాల కమిటీ):

This committee was first formed in 1953.
This committee is also separate for both Houses.
In each House, these are appointed by the respective presiding officers.
There are 15 members, ministers should not be members in it.
This committee examines the delegated legislative aspects of the executive branch and their legality in construction, and whether the rules related to amendment of previously formulated laws are being followed.

(iii) Committee on the Welfare of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (షెడ్యూల్డ్ కులాల, షెడ్యూల్డ్ తెగల సంక్షేమ సంఘం):

This is a joint committee consisting of both Houses.
It has 30 members in total.
Of these, 20 are represented from Lok Sabha and 10 from Rajya Sabha.
These are elected by the members of the respective Houses.
Examines the implementation of constitutional and legal safeguards, facilities, and other welfare programs provided to Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes.
Committee term - 1 year.

(iv) Committee on Papers Laid on the Table (సభకు సమర్పింపబడే పత్రాల, నివేదికలపై సంఘం):

This association was established in 1975.
These associations are separate for both Houses.
Lok Sabha association has 15 members, and Rajya Sabha has 10 members.
This association examines whether all documents submitted to the House by ministers are in accordance with/adhering to constitutional provisions.

E) Financial Committees (ఆర్థిక సంఘాలు):

(i) Public Accounts Committee (ప్రభుత్వ ఖాతాల కమిటీ):

This is the oldest committee among Parliamentary Committees.
This committee was established in 1921.
This is a joint parliamentary committee.
It has 22 members in total.
15 members from Lok Sabha (elected by Lok Sabha members through proportional representation in a single transferable vote system).
7 members from Rajya Sabha (elected by Rajya Sabha members through proportional representation in a single transferable vote system).
Members are nominated to the Public Accounts Committee.
Ministers are not eligible to be in these committees. The Lok Sabha Speaker appoints the chairman of this committee.
According to a tradition started in 1967, a member belonging to the opposition party in the Lok Sabha is being appointed as the chairman.
Members in this committee hold office for a term not exceeding one year.

Functions of the Public Accounts Committee (ప్రభుత్వ ఖాతాల కమిటీ విధులు):

Based on the Comptroller and Auditor General's report, it examines the following aspects:
1. a) To examine whether the expenditure shown in the accounts is for the purposes legally intended and whether expenditure has been incurred for those purposes.
2. b) To examine whether government expenditure is in accordance with the Appropriation Bill approved by Parliament.
3. c) To examine whether re-appropriation has been done as per rules and with the authorization of competent authorities.
4. d) To examine the reports given by the Comptroller and Auditor General on government and independent statutory bodies.
The Comptroller and Auditor General provides technical and other advice to this committee.
Hence, the CAG is regarded as the Philosopher, Guide, and Friend of this committee.
Critics opine that the inquiry conducted by this committee is "like a post-mortem."

(ii) Estimates Committee (అంచనాల కమిటీ):

The Estimates Committee was established in April 1950 based on the recommendation of the then Finance Minister John Mathai.
It has 30 members. All are elected from Lok Sabha only for a term of one year.
These are elected through proportional representation in a single transferable vote system.
Ministers should not be members in it.
The Speaker appoints the chairman of this committee.

Functions (విధులు):

To consider government estimates and suggest ways to promote economy, improve organization, and bring about reforms in administration.
To suggest alternative policies to promote economy.
To examine if the money allocated under those estimates is within its limits.
To suggest the format in which estimates should be submitted to Parliament.
The Estimates Association submits its report to the Lok Sabha.

Note:

The Public Accounts Committee and the Estimates Committee are called 'twin committees'.

Reason: There is no difference in the functions of these two committees.

Other Key Points (ఇతర ముఖ్యాంశాలు):

Lok Sabha elections were held for the first time between 1951-1952.
Lok Sabha with the fewest women - 6th Lok Sabha (19 members).
Lok Sabha with the most women - 17th Lok Sabha (78 members) - 14.4%.
In the 8th Lok Sabha, Telugu Desam Party acted as the main opposition for the first time. This is the first time regional parties acted as the main opposition party.
Largest constituency by area: Ladakh. Smallest constituency: Chandni Chowk (Delhi).
Largest constituency by voters: Malkajgiri (TG).
The law for the post of Leader of the Opposition was enacted in 1977.
Cabinet status is accorded to the Leader of the Opposition.
First person to hold the post of Leader of the Opposition in Lok Sabha: "Y.B. Chavan".

Saturday, March 1, 2025

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