Do Department-related Parliamentary Standing Committees keep the administration on its toes and inspire reverence for parliamentary control? Evaluate the working of such committees with suitable examples.

Parliamentary Committee means a committee which is appointed or elected by the House or nominated by the Speaker and which works under the direction of the Speaker and presents its report to the House or to the Speaker and the Secretariat for which is provided by the Lok Sabha Secretariat.

Inspiring Reverence:

• Acting as Mini Parliament: Emphasis on long-term plans, policies guiding the working of the Executive, these Committees are providing necessary direction, guidance and inputs for broad policy formulations and in achievement of the long-term national perspective by the Executive. 

• Instruments of Detailed scrutiny: E.g.: Committee on Health and Family welfare studies surrogacy Regulation Bill.

• Strengthening the Laws: Consumer Protection act has been amended in 2019 after the Committee signalled for change. 

• Inter-Ministerial Coordination: Closed door meeting where members are not bound by Populist Demands.

• Members are not bound by whips.

Issues:

• Decline in matters referred to PSC: According to data by PRS Legislative Research, while 60% of the Bills in the 14th Lok Sabha and 71% in the 15th Lok Sabha were referred to DRSCs concerned, this proportion came down to 27% in the 16th Lok Sabha.

• Neglected in some important matters like Farm Bill, Article 370 revocation, Labour laws.

• Of the 24 departmentally-related standing committees, not one met virtually either during the lockdown.

• The average attendance of every departmentally-related standing committee was 48% in the third session between January and march 2020.

NCRWC: Replace the committee that has outlived its utility and new committee on economy, employment should come now.

Amend the Rule of Business so that all major bills must be referred to the Departmentally Related standing committee. 

The Departmental related standing Committee supports the three pillars of Democracy: Representativeness, Accountability and Responsiveness. Thus, only the realisation of its significance is not enough, there is a need to increase its effectiveness.

EXTRA NOTES -

New Draft Guidelines: Recently, Rajya Sabha secretariat prepared new draft guidelines for its standing committees.

The guidelines are still under review by the Lok Sabha Speaker. This may include:

- A minimum 15 days’ notice and confirmation by one-third of the members before holding a panel meeting.

- Nomination of members based on their qualifications, interests and occupations.

- At least 50% attendance while collecting evidence and adopting reports.