[Model Answer QP2023 GS2]Explain the structure of the Parliamentary committee system. How far have the financial committees helped in institutionalisation of Indian Parliament.
A Parliamentary Committee is a committee constituted by the Parliament, consisting of its members, to deal with specific areas or subjects related to parliamentary governance and oversight. These committees play an instrumental role in scrutinizing the work of the executive branch, examining proposed legislation in detail, and discussing various policy matters or issues of national importance.
Structure of the Parliamentary Committee System:
1. Types of Committees:
Standing Committees: These are permanent committees, constituted from time to time in pursuance of the provisions of an Act of Parliament or Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in Parliament. Examples include the Public Accounts Committee and the Committee on Estimates. Ad Hoc Committees: These are temporary committees set up for a specific purpose and cease to exist when they finish the task assigned to them. An example is the Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) set up to investigate specific issues.
2. Composition: Committees are generally composed of members from both the Houses (in bicameral legislatures) and represent proportionally the strength of various parties and groups in the House.
3. Chairperson: While some committees have their Chairpersons appointed by the Speaker/Chairman, others, like the Departmental Standing Committees, elect their own Chairpersons.
Financial Committees and Institutionalisation of the Indian Parliament:
3. Public Accounts Committee (PAC):
Mandate: PAC examines the annual audit reports of the Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG), which are laid before the Parliament. Significance: The PAC ensures that public money is spent in line with the Parliament’s intentions. Its investigations uphold transparency, accountability, and the principles of legislative oversight.
2. Estimates Committee:
Mandate: This committee examines the estimates included in the budget and suggests alternative policies to bring about efficiency and economy in administration. Significance: The Estimates Committee scrutinizes the need for money, ensures that policy implementation is cost-effective, and checks wasteful expenditures, reinforcing the role of Parliament as the guardian of the public purse.
3. Committee on Public Undertakings (COPU):
Mandate: COPU examines the reports and accounts of public undertakings and the CAG’s reports related to them. Significance: The committee ensures that state-owned enterprises function efficiently and are managed in a manner consistent with the directives of the Parliament.
Role of Financial Committees in Institutionalisation of the Indian Parliament:
1. Enhanced Oversight: The financial committees strengthen the Parliament’s oversight role. They ensure that funds allocated by the Parliament are utilized properly and that there’s value for money in terms of policy implementation.
2. Expertise: Given their continuous nature, members of these committees develop expertise over time. This expertise is crucial for nuanced understanding and effective scrutiny of complex financial matters.
3. Bipartisanship: These committees are traditionally non-partisan in nature, which ensures that national interests are prioritized over party politics.
4. In-depth Examination: With the Parliament’s limited time and extensive agenda, these committees allow for a detailed, clause-by-clause examination of financial matters, which might be challenging to achieve in full-fledged parliamentary sessions.
5. Feedback Mechanism: They provide a platform for stakeholders, experts, and bureaucrats to provide their inputs on financial matters, ensuring a holistic examination of issues.
Conclusion
The financial committees have been instrumental in enhancing the efficacy and accountability of the legislative oversight of public finance. They not only ensure the prudent and effective use of public money but also bolster the foundational principles of democracy by keeping the executive in check. Their role is pivotal in upholding the institutional integrity and authority of the Indian Parliament.
