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UPSC GS Paper – 2: Q16. Explain the structure of the Parliamentary Committee system. How far have the financial committees helped in the institutionalisation of Indian Parliament?

Gaurav Soni September 30, 2023 03:53 4066 0

Daily Answer Writing DAILY UPSC ANSWER WRITTING 2023 General Studies-II

UPSC GS Paper – 2: Q16. Explain the structure of the Parliamentary Committee system. How far have the financial committees helped in the institutionalisation of Indian Parliament?

Q16. Explain the structure of the Parliamentary Committee system. How far have the financial committees helped in the institutionalisation of Indian Parliament?

How to approach the question

Introduction

●      Write about the Parliamentary Committee system briefly

Body

●      Write the structure of the Parliamentary Committee system

●      Write how the financial committees helped in the institutionalisation of Indian Parliament

●      Write issues faced in this regard

●      Write suitable way forward

Conclusion

●      Give appropriate conclusion in this regard

Introduction

The Parliamentary Committee system is an essential mechanism in the legislative functioning of Indian democracy. It comprises various committees that are broadly categorized as Standing and Ad Hoc Committees, each playing a pivotal role in the detailed investigation and analysis of legislative proposals, budgets, and other government activities.

Body

Structure of the Parliamentary Committee System

  • Standing Committees: These are permanent committees, set up each year to work continuously on the range of matters allocated to them. For instance, the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) reviews the annual audit reports of the Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG).
  • Ad Hoc Committees: Formed to address specific issues, these committees exist for a limited period. A recent example is the Joint Parliamentary Committee formed to scrutinize the Personal Data Protection Bill, 2019.
  • Departmentally Related Standing Committees (DRSCs): These committees are tasked with scrutinizing the demands for grants of various ministries. They play a critical role in examining bills and government policies related to respective ministries.
  • Financial Committees: Such as Estimates Committee and PAC, they delve deep into financial matters presenting detailed reports and helping in the effective oversight of government expenditure.

The Role of Financial Committees in the Institutionalisation of the Indian Parliament

  • Scrutiny of Government Expenditure: Committees such as labour laws and land acquisition publicly play a crucial role in scrutinizing government expenditures. Eg: the PAC’s report on the 2G spectrum allocation brought significant irregularities to light, ensuring accountability.
  • Expert Consultations: The financial committees frequently consult experts to deepen their understanding of intricate matters. Eg: during the formulation of the GST Bill, various economists and industry experts were consulted to ensure a comprehensive and feasible tax system.
  • Cross-Party Deliberations: These platforms allow for cross-party deliberations, promoting a cooperative approach. The consensus-building during the discussions on the GST Bill in the Rajya Sabha standing committee, where members from different parties came together, is a testament to this.
  • Accountability and Transparency: The various reports presented by committees have facilitated accountability and transparency in governmental actions. Eg: the detailed report by the PAC on the controversial Rafale deal showcased the commitment to maintaining transparency.
  • Focused Discussions: Committees enable focused discussions providing an avenue for detailed exploration of issues. The in-depth deliberations on the intricacies of the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code (2016) in the Joint Parliamentary Committee are an example of this.
  • Feedback and Recommendations: They often incorporate feedback from various stakeholders in their recommendations, such as the inputs from various industry stakeholders during the deliberations on the Companies Amendment Bill, 2020.
  • Policy Analysis: Committees such as the Economic Advisory Council to the Prime Minister (EAC-PM) have offered nuanced insights on economic matters. Notably, it recommended several measures during the economic slowdown, helping steer policy directions to revive growth.

Issues Faced in the Institutionalisation of the Indian Parliament

  • Insufficient Time: Committees sometimes have limited time to scrutinize complex bills meticulously. Eg: the Farm Bills of 2020 were quickly pushed through the parliament, raising concerns among various stakeholders regarding the insufficient time granted for detailed scrutiny.
  • Limited Expert Consultation: This was evident in the discussions pertaining to the Citizenship Amendment Act, where a broader spectrum of perspectives could have been garnered through more exhaustive consultations with legal experts and civil society organizations.
  • Non-binding Recommendations: As the recommendations of the committees are advisory, and not binding. Eg: During the discussion on the Land Acquisition Bill, many critical suggestions put forth by the committees were not incorporated in the final draft.
  • Political Partisanship: Committees sometimes exhibit political partisanship, potentially affecting the neutrality of the reports. Eg: This has been observed in differing conclusions reached by various committees on crucial issues such as the Rafale deal.
  • Underutilized: Committees have sometimes been underutilized, failing to leverage their capacity to delve deeply into complex issues. The limited engagement with the Parliamentary Committee on Subordinate Legislation for scrutinizing delegated legislation, is an example of this.
  • Lack of Technical Expertise: Committee members may lack the requisite technical expertise for scrutinizing certain bills. This was notably evident during the scrutiny of technological bills, where deeper insights from tech experts could have significantly enriched the discussions.
  • Bypassing Committees: For instance, many bills in the recent years have been passed without committee scrutiny, like the Aadhaar amendment bill, foregoing an essential step in legislative diligence and prudence.

Way Forward

  • Enhancing Timelines: It could have facilitated a more nuanced scrutiny of legislation such as the Farmers’ Bills of 2020, allowing for detailed analysis and feedback collection from various stakeholders including agricultural experts and farmer unions to foster a more comprehensive understanding.
  • Mandatory referring of Bills to Committees (NCRCW): Making it a standard procedure to refer bills to relevant committees before passing should be institutionalized to guarantee that every legislation undergoes meticulous scrutiny.
  • Public Accessibility: For instance, making the reports on key reforms such as labour laws and land acquisition publicly available would enable informed public discourse and a greater understanding of legislative nuances.
  • Regular Training for Members: Introducing systematic training sessions for members, possibly in collaboration with reputed institutions like the Bureau of Parliamentary Studies and Training (BPST), could enhance the effectiveness of committees in scrutinizing bills.
  • Strengthening the Follow-Up Mechanism: A more structured follow-up mechanism should be established to ensure that the recommendations of committees are actively considered in parliamentary debates, leveraging learnings from the effectiveness of such follow-ups in the UK.
  • Utilizing Committees to the Fullest: Utilizing committees optimally, akin to how the Estimates Committee has been utilized to scrutinize governmental financial proposals in detail, should be a standard approach to ensure a comprehensive review of all significant legislative and policy proposals.

Conclusion

The Parliamentary Committee system remains a cornerstone in enhancing the efficiency, accountability, and inclusivity of the legislative process. However, it is imperative to address the existing challenges to further institutionalize their role. Implementing the suggested way forward would ensure a more robust, transparent, and accountable system that upholds the democratic ethos of the Indian Parliament.

 

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For a Detailed explanation of the UPSC GS-03 Mains question 2023, click here.

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