{"id":1790,"date":"2024-10-28T06:46:49","date_gmt":"2024-10-28T06:46:49","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/iasquest.com\/?p=1790"},"modified":"2026-02-11T19:03:04","modified_gmt":"2026-02-11T19:03:04","slug":"gs-2parliament-and-state-legislatures-structure-functioning-conduct-of-business-powers-privileges-and-issues-arising-out-of-these","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/kingmakersiasacademy.com\/current-affairs\/gs-2parliament-and-state-legislatures-structure-functioning-conduct-of-business-powers-privileges-and-issues-arising-out-of-these\/","title":{"rendered":"GS-2:Parliament and State Legislatures\u2014Structure, Functioning, Conduct of Business, Powers & Privileges and Issues Arising out of these."},"content":{"rendered":"\n

In News:When Parliament isn\u2019t in session, standing committees are where the action is;<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

1.Analyse the significance of Standing Committees in the legislative framework of India. Evaluate their effectiveness and suggest potential reforms to enhance their role in legislative scrutiny and government accountability.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Standing Committees, particularly the Departmentally Related Standing Committees (DRSCs), play a crucial role in enhancing the effectiveness of the Indian parliamentary system by scrutinising bills, demand for grants, and various policy documents.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Significance of standing committees:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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  1. Detailed scrutiny of legislation:<\/strong>Standing Committees meticulously examine bills clause by clause, allowing for a comprehensive understanding of their implications.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  2. Enhancing accountability:<\/strong> Act as watchdogs, holding the executive accountable for actions and expenditures.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  3. Expert inputs:<\/strong> Committees often consult with subject matter experts, civil society organisations, and other stakeholders, ensuring a well-rounded perspective.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  4. Empowering parliamentarians:<\/strong> Standing Committees empower MPs to actively participate in the legislative process and contribute to policy making.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  5. Enhancing public trust:<\/strong> By providing a platform for rigorous scrutiny and public debate, Committees help restore public trust in the democratic process.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  6. Oversight of government expenditure:<\/strong>Committees examine the government’s budget demands,track the utilization of funds and identify instances of wasteful expenditure or misuse of public money.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n

    Effectiveness of standing committees<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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    1. Declining referrals:<\/strong> Reduced percentage of bills referred to committees, undermining their scrutiny role.16% of Bills were referred to Committees for detailed scrutiny in 17th Lok Sabha.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n
      \"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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      1. Low attendance and participation:<\/strong> Notable absenteeism among MPs limits effective committee functioning.Ex:Committee on Social Justice and Empowerment: in 2023, some MPs attended only one or two of its 16 meetings.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
      2. Short tenure: <\/strong>One-year terms hinder specialisation and expertise, affecting deliberation quality.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
      3. Gender imbalance:<\/strong> Only two out of 24 committees are chaired by women, and the Standing Committee on Women Empowerment has not been constituted for the 18th Lok Sabha.This undermines gender-sensitive policy making<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n

        Reforms to enhance functionality and accountability<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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        1. Increasing referral rates:<\/strong> Ensuring all major bills are referred to committees for scrutiny before debate.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
        2. Extending tenure for members:<\/strong> A longer tenure, akin to practices in other legislative bodies like the US Congress, could improve continuity and effectiveness.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
        3. Mandatory government responses: <\/strong>The current requirement for government responses to committee recommendations is six months; this can be reduced to 60 days, similar to practices in the British House of Commons<\/li>\n\n\n\n
        4. Create a Standing Committee on National Economy:<\/strong> To annually examine the state of the economy. Short-duration discussions should be initiated in both Houses of Parliament to discuss the reports<\/li>\n\n\n\n
        5. Constitutional amendment oversight:<\/strong> A dedicated Constitution Committee should be formed to check if these are ultra vires to the Constitution, and strengthen the credibility of constitutional amendments.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n

          By addressing these challenges and implementing these reforms, Standing Committees can be further empowered to play a more effective role in legislative scrutiny and government accountability.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

          PYQ<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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          1. Explain the structure of the Parliamentary Committee system. How far have the financial committees helped in the institutionalisation of Indian Parliament? 2023<\/li>\n\n\n\n
          2. 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. 2021<\/li>\n\n\n\n
          3. Why do you think the committees are considered to be useful for parliamentary work? Discuss, in this context, the role or the Estimates Committee.2018<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n

            Source:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

            https:\/\/indianexpress.com\/article\/opinion\/columns\/when-parliament-isnt-in-session-standing-committees-are-where-the-action-is-9637441\/<\/a>
            https:\/\/www.thehindu.com\/news\/national\/sebi-chief-madhabi-puri-buch-skips-parliaments-public-accounts-committee-meeting\/article68790290.ece<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n