CH 23 Parliamentary Committees Overview

Flashcards for reviewing key concepts about Parliamentary Committees, their roles, functions, and challenges.

Despite being constitutionally mentioned, why do Parliamentary Committees lack a constitutional framework for their functions?

Because composition, tenure, and functions are governed by House rules, not Constitution.

What are the four strict conditions that define a true Parliamentary Committee?

Formed by House; under Speaker/Chairman; reports to House; has House-provided secretariat.

Why are Consultative Committees not considered Parliamentary Committees?

They lack formal reporting, are voluntary, and don’t fulfill the four defining conditions.

What is the key distinction between Ad Hoc Committees and Standing Committees?

Ad Hoc are temporary and task-specific; Standing are permanent and continuous.

Why are Departmentally-Related Standing Committees (DRSCs) crucial to strengthening financial accountability?

They examine budget Demands for Grants before parliamentary vote.

What limitation prevents DRSCs from enforcing executive accountability effectively?

Their recommendations are advisory, and they can’t examine day-to-day administration.

Why does the DRSC structure enhance the role of Rajya Sabha in financial oversight?

Rajya Sabha members sit on DRSCs, enabling review of budgetary and policy matters.

Why is the ‘cut motion’ approach absent in DRSCs’ budget recommendations?

DRSCs are pre-budget review bodies and not empowered to propose direct financial cuts.

How does proportional representation in committee formation ensure democratic parity?

Ensures all political parties get equitable representation in proportion to House strength.

What is the rationale behind prohibiting ministers from being members of key committees?

To maintain legislative oversight without executive conflict of interest.

What strategic role does the Speaker play in committee functioning?

Nominates members, appoints chairpersons, and determines jurisdiction under House rules.

How does single transferable vote ensure fair committee composition?

Allocates seats proportionally, reflecting party strength while ensuring minority inclusion.

Why are House-Keeping Committees strategically significant despite not being legislative?

Manage MPs’ welfare, logistics, and parliamentary infrastructure—essential for functioning.

What makes the General Purposes Committee institutionally unique among all committees?

Headed by Speaker/Chairman and includes House leaders and committee chairpersons.

Why is the classification into six Standing Committee types critical for governance?

It enables specialised, segmented review aligned with legislative and policy domains.

Why is the Public Accounts Committee considered a post-audit committee?

It examines expenditure after it has been incurred and audited by CAG.

What unique role does the CAG play in relation to the PAC?

Acts as guide, philosopher, and friend; PAC relies on CAG audit reports.

How did the 1967 convention change PAC’s institutional neutrality?

Chairman is now always from the Opposition to ensure unbiased scrutiny.

What is the key institutional limitation of PAC regarding its recommendations?

Recommendations are advisory and not binding on ministries or departments.

Why can PAC not examine matters of policy or day-to-day administration?

It focuses on legal and prudential scrutiny, not on policy formation.

How does the PAC ensure accountability in case of excess expenditure over grants?

Examines cases of overspending and seeks explanations from departments.

Why is the Estimates Committee considered a 'continuous economy committee'?

Suggests reforms in organisation and efficiency to improve budgetary prudence.

Why does the Estimates Committee lack CAG assistance unlike PAC?

It reviews budget estimates, not audit reports, hence no CAG support.

Why is Lok Sabha-only composition of Estimates Committee constitutionally significant?

As it deals with Demands for Grants, which originate and are voted in Lok Sabha.

How does the Estimates Committee contribute to budget transparency?

Evaluates policies behind expenditure and suggests reforms for efficiency.

What limitation affects the Estimates Committee’s annual coverage of departments?

Examines only select ministries annually; full coverage takes several years.

What distinguishes the Committee on Public Undertakings from PAC and Estimates?

Focuses on audit and efficiency of public sector undertakings (PSUs).

Why can’t Rajya Sabha members be Chairpersons of the Committee on Public Undertakings?

Chair is selected only from Lok Sabha members by the Speaker.

What restricts the Committee on Public Undertakings from probing technical decisions?

Members lack technical expertise; focus is on managerial and financial audit.

What is a shared functional limitation of all three financial committees?

They cannot enforce decisions; only Parliament has final authority on implementation.

What institutional innovation did DRSCs introduce in 1993 for legislative functioning?

Subject-specific scrutiny of Demands for Grants, Bills, and policies via 24 permanent committees.

What is the main criticism of DRSCs in pre-legislative scrutiny?

Their inputs are not mandatory and often ignored in final policymaking.

What makes DRSCs more effective than Ad Hoc Committees?

Continuity, subject-expertise, cross-party dialogue, and year-round scrutiny.

How are DRSC chairpersons appointed, and by whom?

Appointed by Speaker (LS) or Chairman (RS), usually from the ruling party.

How many ministries does each DRSC typically examine?

1–3 related ministries per committee.

Why do DRSCs enhance Rajya Sabha's institutional relevance?

8 of 24 DRSCs are Rajya Sabha-headed; allow continuous oversight.

What makes the Committee on Government Assurances an important scrutiny tool?

Tracks whether promises made by ministers on the floor are fulfilled.

How does the Committee on Subordinate Legislation protect legislative supremacy?

Examines whether executive rules exceed or violate parent law’s scope.

Why is the Committee on Delegated Legislation vital in a delegated democracy?

Prevents executive overreach by scrutinising all rules, regulations, orders.

How does the Committee on Petitions empower public participation in governance?

Investigates public grievances and seeks redress from ministries.

What is the strategic function of the Committee on Ethics in Parliament?

Monitors misconduct of members and upholds parliamentary decorum.

Why is Committee on Privileges crucial in a parliamentary democracy?

Protects freedom of speech and institutional autonomy of the legislature.

How is the Rules Committee foundational to the evolving procedure of the House?

Reviews and updates procedural rules, enabling reform and flexibility.

What is unique about the Business Advisory Committee in session management?

Decides legislative agenda, time allocation, and prioritisation of issues.

Why is the Committee on Absence from Sittings important for accountability?

Reviews leave requests and deters absenteeism by recommending action.

Why are Parliamentary Committees called the 'Mini-Parliament'?

Mirror full House in composition, debate intensity, and issue diversity—minus disruptions.

Why is secrecy in committee proceedings considered both strength and weakness?

Ensures frank discussion but reduces transparency and public engagement.

How do Parliamentary Committees strengthen cooperative federalism?

Allow MPs from various states to contribute to national policy evaluation collaboratively.

What’s a major bottleneck limiting committee effectiveness in India?

Executive often ignores recommendations; no compulsion to act on reports.

What reform can enhance the effectiveness and accountability of Parliamentary Committees?

Mandatory tabling and time-bound response to reports by ministries.