Answer: 

Introduction:

Department-related Parliamentary Standing Committees (DRPSCs) are crucial instruments of parliamentary control over the executive in India. They help in maintaining checks and balances by examining government policies, legislation, and administration.

Body:

• Functions of DRPSCs:
  • Examining demands for grants and scrutinizing expenditure of ministries.
  • Reviewing legislation and suggesting amendments.
  • Investigating specific policy matters or issues referred by the Parliament.
  • Ensuring accountability by holding the executive answerable for its actions.
• Effectiveness of DRPSCs in keeping the administration on its toes:
  • By scrutinizing demands for grants and expenditures, DRPSCs contribute to financial accountability and ensure that public funds are utilized effectively and efficiently.
  • Their review of legislation and proposed amendments helps refine the law-making process and avoid hasty or ill-considered decisions.
  • Investigating policy matters enables DRPSCs to delve deeper into issues of national importance and provide recommendations for improving government policies.
  • Ensuring accountability is a key aspect of DRPSCs, as they provide a platform for the executive to explain and justify its actions.
• Challenges and limitations:
  • Limited time and resources often prevent DRPSCs from conducting comprehensive scrutiny and investigation of all matters under their purview.
  • Lack of domain expertise among members may sometimes affect the quality of their recommendations.
  • Partisan politics can occasionally overshadow the deliberations and decision-making process in the committees.
  • Recommendations made by DRPSCs are not binding on the government, which may choose to accept or reject them.
• Examples showcasing the working of DRPSCs:
  • The 31st report of the Standing Committee on Information Technology (2018-19) examined issues related to data security and privacy and made recommendations to the government for strengthening the data protection framework in India.
  • The Standing Committee on Finance’s report on the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code (2016) suggested various amendments to the bill, many of which were incorporated in the final legislation.

Conclusion:

Addressing these challenges and strengthening the working of DRPSCs will contribute to a more robust system of parliamentary control and inspire greater reverence for the institution of Parliament.

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