What is Parliamentary Standing Committee?
Historical Background
Key Points
6 points- 1.
Composition: Each DRSC consists of 31 members (21 from Lok Sabha and 10 from Rajya Sabha), nominated by the Speaker of Lok Sabha and Chairman of Rajya Sabha respectively.
- 2.
Tenure: Members serve for a term not exceeding one year.
- 3.
Functions: They scrutinize bills referred to them, examine demand for grants of ministries, consider annual reports, and review long-term policy documents. They do not generally consider matters of day-to-day administration.
- 4.
Nature of Recommendations: Their recommendations are advisory and not binding on the government, but they carry significant weight and are often accepted.
- 5.
Types: Broadly categorized into Standing Committees (permanent) and Ad Hoc Committees (temporary, for specific purposes). Standing Committees include Financial Committees (e.g., Public Accounts, Estimates, Public Undertakings) and Departmentally Related Standing Committees (DRSCs).
- 6.
Role in Legislative Process: Bills, after introduction, are often referred to DRSCs for detailed examination, stakeholder consultation, and report submission to Parliament, enhancing the quality of legislation.
Visual Insights
Parliamentary Standing Committees: Structure, Functions & Role
This mind map illustrates the structure, types, functions, and significance of Parliamentary Standing Committees in India, crucial for understanding parliamentary oversight and governance.
Parliamentary Standing Committees
- ●Types
- ●Departmentally Related Standing Committees (DRSCs)
- ●Functions
- ●Key Financial Committees
- ●Role & Significance
- ●Challenges
Evolution of Parliamentary Committee System in India
This timeline traces the historical development of the parliamentary committee system in India, highlighting key milestones that led to its current structure and role.
The parliamentary committee system in India has evolved from its colonial origins to a robust mechanism for legislative oversight. The establishment and expansion of DRSCs in the post-liberalization era significantly strengthened Parliament's capacity for detailed scrutiny, moving beyond mere legislative approval to in-depth examination of policy and administration.
- 1921First Public Accounts Committee (PAC) established under the Montagu-Chelmsford Reforms (pre-independence)
- 1950Estimates Committee established in independent India
- 1964Committee on Public Undertakings (CoPU) established
- 199317 Departmentally Related Standing Committees (DRSCs) established to provide detailed scrutiny of government ministries
- 2004DRSCs expanded to 24, covering almost all ministries and departments
- 2015-2024Increased reliance on committees for legislative scrutiny, debates on effectiveness, concerns over attendance and politicization of proceedings
- 2025Parliamentary Standing Committee on Defence raises concerns on ex-servicemen welfare and healthcare gaps (Current News)
Recent Developments
4 developmentsThere's an ongoing debate about the effectiveness of committees, especially regarding the binding nature of their recommendations and the time allotted for scrutiny.
Concerns have been raised about the increasing bypassing of committees for crucial legislation, leading to reduced parliamentary scrutiny.
Emphasis on digitalization of committee proceedings and reports for greater transparency and accessibility.
Discussions on strengthening the research support available to committees to enhance their analytical capabilities.