The Role of Parliamentary Committees in the Functioning of the Indian Parliament

Introduction

Parliamentary Committees play a crucial role in the smooth functioning of the Indian Parliament. These committees are essential instruments of legislative oversight, policy scrutiny, and executive accountability. They ensure detailed examination of bills, budgetary allocations, and governmental policies, which may not be possible in full-fledged parliamentary sessions due to time constraints and the complexity of issues involved.

Need for Parliamentary Committees

The Indian Parliament, consisting of the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha, deals with a multitude of legislative, financial, and policy matters. However, given the vast scope and intricacy of governance, it is impractical for Parliament to deliberate on every aspect of administration in plenary sittings. Parliamentary Committees bridge this gap by:

• Conducting in-depth analysis of legislative proposals.
• Ensuring financial accountability of the executive.
• Offering expert guidance on complex policy issues.
• Acting as a mechanism for checks and balances in governance.

Types of Parliamentary Committees

Parliamentary Committees in India can be broadly classified into two categories:

1. Standing Committees – These are permanent in nature and continue to function irrespective of changes in government.
2. Ad Hoc Committees – These are temporary committees constituted for specific tasks and dissolved after fulfilling their mandate.

Standing Committees

Standing Committees ensure continuous parliamentary scrutiny of governance and policy implementation. These include:

1. Financial Committees

Financial Committees primarily oversee the financial functioning of the government. They include:

• Public Accounts Committee (PAC): Examines government expenditures and audits reports submitted by the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG).
• Estimates Committee: Reviews budgetary estimates and suggests measures for economy and efficiency.
• Committee on Public Undertakings (COPU): Evaluates the performance and governance of Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs).

2. Departmentally Related Standing Committees (DRSCs)

These committees, introduced in 1993, scrutinize the functioning of various ministries and departments. There are currently 24 DRSCs covering different sectors such as defense, finance, agriculture, and external affairs. They review bills, policies, and demand for grants related to their respective ministries.

3. Committees on Parliament Functioning

These committees facilitate the effective functioning of parliamentary proceedings. They include:

• Business Advisory Committee: Decides the legislative agenda and time allocation for discussions.
• Rules Committee: Frames rules for conducting parliamentary business.
• Committee on Privileges: Examines cases of breach of parliamentary privileges.
• Committee on Petitions: Examines petitions submitted by citizens on various issues.

Ad Hoc Committees

These committees are formed for specific tasks and cease to exist after completing their objectives. Some examples include:

• Select Committees: Constituted to examine specific bills in detail.
• Joint Parliamentary Committees (JPCs): Formed to investigate major government policies, scams, or other pressing issues.

Functions of Parliamentary Committees

1. Legislative Scrutiny

Parliamentary Committees play a crucial role in scrutinizing bills before they become laws. They analyze legislative proposals in detail, suggest modifications, and gather expert opinions to improve the quality of legislation.

2. Ensuring Financial Accountability

Financial oversight is one of the primary functions of Parliamentary Committees. Through committees like PAC, COPU, and Estimates Committee, Parliament ensures that public funds are utilized effectively and efficiently.

3. Policy Evaluation

Departmentally Related Standing Committees evaluate policies and programs implemented by the government. They assess policy effectiveness, suggest reforms, and ensure better governance.

4. Monitoring Executive Actions

Committees act as watchdogs over the executive. They question bureaucrats and ministers, review implementation of laws, and hold the government accountable for its decisions.

5. Providing Expert Insights

Given their smaller size and focused nature, committees can seek expert advice from professionals, academia, and civil society, enriching parliamentary debates and policy formulation.

6. Citizen Engagement

Parliamentary Committees offer a platform for citizen participation in governance. They accept petitions, invite public views, and conduct stakeholder consultations, ensuring inclusivity in policymaking.

Advantages of Parliamentary Committees

1. Detailed Examination of Issues – Unlike the full Parliament, committees have the time and expertise to examine issues thoroughly.
2. Non-Partisan Functioning – Discussions in committees are often more constructive and less influenced by party politics.
3. Efficiency in Legislative Process – By scrutinizing bills in advance, committees help in reducing time spent in parliamentary debates.
4. Improved Governance and Transparency – Committees enhance government accountability and ensure effective use of public resources.
5. Expert-Driven Decision Making – Committees engage experts, leading to more informed policymaking.

Challenges Faced by Parliamentary Committees

1. Lack of Adequate Resources – Committees often face resource constraints in terms of research support and expert consultations.
2. Low Attendance of Members – Many committee meetings suffer from poor attendance, affecting their efficiency.
3. Non-Binding Recommendations – Committee reports and recommendations are not legally binding on the government, limiting their impact.
4. Secrecy in Proceedings – While confidentiality aids free discussions, lack of transparency can sometimes reduce public trust in committee processes.
5. Political Interference – Despite being intended as non-partisan bodies, committees sometimes witness political influence in their functioning.

Notable Instances of Committee Effectiveness

1. Bofors Scam Investigation (1987) – The JPC played a key role in investigating the high-profile Bofors scandal, though political disagreements affected the final outcome.
2. 2G Spectrum Scam Inquiry (2011) – The JPC examined irregularities in the allocation of telecom licenses, leading to judicial and executive actions.
3. GST Bill Examination – Parliamentary Committees played an instrumental role in shaping the Goods and Services Tax (GST) legislation by consulting stakeholders and refining the bill.
4. Banking Reforms Scrutiny – The Standing Committee on Finance has been crucial in reviewing banking sector regulations and reforms, ensuring financial stability.

Way Forward for Strengthening Parliamentary Committees

1. Strengthening Research Support – Providing dedicated research staff and expert consultations can improve committee efficiency.
2. Ensuring Better Attendance – Making committee participation a performance criterion for MPs can enhance their engagement.
3. Enhancing Transparency – Publishing committee reports more frequently and allowing public access to certain proceedings can increase trust.
4. Making Recommendations More Binding – Implementing a system where committee recommendations are given more weight in policy decisions can improve accountability.
5. Capacity Building of Members – Training and workshops for MPs on technical issues can enhance the effectiveness of committee discussions.

Conclusion

Parliamentary Committees are indispensable to the functioning of the Indian Parliament. They ensure legislative scrutiny, financial accountability, and policy evaluation, thereby strengthening democracy. Despite challenges, their role remains critical in fostering transparency, efficiency, and good governance. By enhancing their resources, transparency, and authority, these committees can play an even greater role in making India’s parliamentary democracy more effective and accountable.