In the Indian Parliament, both the Rajya Sabha (Council of States) and Lok Sabha (House of the People) have various committees that play a crucial role in the legislative process, oversight, and scrutiny of the executive. These committees can be broadly categorized into two types: Standing Committees and Ad Hoc Committees.
Committees under Rajya Sabha:
1. Standing Committees:
- Committee on Finance:
- Function:
- Examines and reports on matters related to financial procedures, public expenditure, and economic reforms.
- Scrutinizes budget proposals and expenditure of various ministries.
- Function:
- Committee on External Affairs:
- Function:
- Examines and reports on India’s foreign policy, diplomatic relations, and international treaties.
- Function:
- Committee on Home Affairs:
- Function:
- Examines and reports on matters related to internal security, law and order, police forces, and disaster management.
- Function:
- Committee on Commerce:
- Function:
- Examines and reports on matters related to trade, industry, and commerce.
- Function:
- Committee on Personnel, Public Grievances, Law and Justice:
- Function:
- Examines and reports on matters related to the Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances, Law, and Justice.
- Function:
2. Ad Hoc Committees:
- Select Committee on Bills:
- Function:
- Formed to examine and report on bills referred to it. It provides detailed scrutiny on specific legislation.
- Function:
- Committee on Petitions:
- Function:
- Examines petitions submitted by the public and presents reports to the Rajya Sabha.
- Function:
- Joint Committee on Salaries and Allowances of Members of Parliament:
- Function:
- Examines and recommends changes in the salary and allowances of Members of Parliament.
- Function:
Committees under Lok Sabha:
1. Standing Committees:
- Committee on Finance:
- Function:
- Examines and reports on matters related to financial procedures, public expenditure, and economic reforms.
- Scrutinizes budget proposals and expenditure of various ministries.
- Function:
- Committee on External Affairs:
- Function:
- Examines and reports on India’s foreign policy, diplomatic relations, and international treaties.
- Function:
- Committee on Home Affairs:
- Function:
- Examines and reports on matters related to internal security, law and order, police forces, and disaster management.
- Function:
- Committee on Commerce:
- Function:
- Examines and reports on matters related to trade, industry, and commerce.
- Function:
- Committee on Personnel, Public Grievances, Law and Justice:
- Function:
- Examines and reports on matters related to the Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances, Law, and Justice.
- Function:
2. Ad Hoc Committees:
- Select Committee on Bills:
- Function:
- Formed to examine and report on bills referred to it. It provides detailed scrutiny on specific legislation.
- Function:
- Committee on Petitions:
- Function:
- Examines petitions submitted by the public and presents reports to the Lok Sabha.
- Function:
- Joint Committee on Salaries and Allowances of Members of Parliament:
- Function:
- Examines and recommends changes in the salary and allowances of Members of Parliament.
- Function:
Key Points:
- Joint Committees:
- Committees like the Committee on Finance, Committee on External Affairs, etc., are joint committees with members from both Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha.
- Specialized Focus:
- Each committee has a specialized focus area, allowing for in-depth scrutiny and examination of specific issues.
- Role in Legislation:
- Standing Committees play a significant role in scrutinizing bills and providing detailed reports, which are crucial for the legislative process.
- Ad Hoc Committees:
- Ad Hoc Committees are formed for specific tasks or inquiries and are dissolved once their assigned work is completed.
- Independence:
- These committees operate independently, providing a platform for members to examine and review various aspects of governance.
In summary, the committees under Rajya Sabha and Lok Sabha serve vital functions in the legislative process, oversight, and scrutiny of the executive, contributing to the effectiveness and efficiency of the Indian parliamentary system.
