Parliamentary committees are essential components of the parliamentary system in India, playing a crucial role in facilitating the legislative process and ensuring effective governance. These committees, which are formed by members of the Parliament, enable detailed examination and analysis of various legislative, financial, and administrative matters. They help in scrutinizing issues that might not receive adequate attention during regular parliamentary proceedings, thus enhancing accountability and transparency in the legislative process.
There are two primary categories of parliamentary committees in India: Standing Committees and Ad-hoc Committees.
- Standing Committees: These committees are permanent in nature and are reconstituted every year or at the beginning of a new Parliament. The Public Accounts Committee (PAC), Committee on Estimates, and Committee on Public Undertakings are among the most prominent standing committees. Their primary role is to scrutinize the financial expenditures of the government, monitor public spending, and ensure that public resources are used efficiently.
- Ad-hoc Committees: These committees are temporary and are constituted for specific purposes, such as investigating particular issues or examining bills that require detailed scrutiny. An example of such a committee is the Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC), which is set up to look into matters of national importance or public concern, such as issues of corruption or economic irregularities.
In addition to these, there are also Select Committees and Joint Committees that play a significant role in scrutinizing bills in detail before they are presented for parliamentary approval. Committees are usually composed of members from both the Lok Sabha (House of the People) and Rajya Sabha (Council of States), ensuring broader representation and greater efficiency in the review process.
Overall, parliamentary committees are vital for the democratic functioning of the Parliament. They ensure that government actions are subject to detailed scrutiny, enabling a more informed decision-making process. Through their work, committees contribute significantly to improving the quality of legislation and strengthening the overall accountability of the executive to the legislature.