Answer:

Introduction:

Parliamentary committees are an essential part of the legislative process, as they provide a platform for detailed scrutiny of legislative proposals, policies, budgets, and other matters. These committees consist of Members of Parliament (MPs) from various political parties, working in a non-partisan manner to ensure efficient functioning of the parliamentary system.

Body:

In the Indian parliamentary system, there are mainly two types of committees:

• Standing Committees: These are permanent committees, constituted every year or periodically, and they work on a continuous basis. Examples include the Public Accounts Committee, Estimates Committee, and Departmentally Related Standing Committees (DRSCs).
• Ad Hoc Committees: These are temporary committees formed for a specific task. Once the task is completed, they are dissolved. Examples include Select Committees and Joint Committees formed to scrutinize particular bills or issues.

Reasons why committees are considered useful for parliamentary work:

• Expertise: Committees allow MPs to develop specialized knowledge in specific areas, enabling them to scrutinize proposals and policies more effectively.
• Detailed scrutiny: Committees provide an opportunity for in-depth analysis and examination of legislative proposals, budgets, and other matters, which may not be feasible during full parliamentary sessions.
• Time management: Committees help in managing the workload of the Parliament by addressing specific issues and preparing reports, thereby saving valuable time during parliamentary sessions.
• Non-partisan approach: Committees foster a cooperative and non-partisan atmosphere, encouraging MPs to work together and focus on the issues at hand.
• Stakeholder consultation: Committees often engage with various stakeholders, including experts, civil society, and the public, to gather diverse perspectives on the issues under consideration.
• Accountability: Committees hold the government accountable by scrutinizing its policies, expenditures, and functioning.

Role of the Estimates Committee:

• Scrutiny of expenditure: The Estimates Committee is responsible for examining the estimates of expenditure submitted by the government and suggesting economies in public expenditure.
• Performance evaluation: The committee evaluates the performance of the government’s policies and programs in terms of their efficiency and effectiveness.
• Ensuring accountability: The Estimates Committee scrutinizes government spending to ensure that the funds are utilized for the intended purpose and in an efficient manner.
• Recommendations: Based on their examination, the committee provides recommendations to the Parliament for improving the economy, efficiency, and effectiveness of government expenditure.
• Non-ministerial members: The Estimates Committee consists exclusively of non-ministerial members, ensuring an unbiased and independent review of the government’s expenditure proposals.

Conclusion:

Parliamentary committees, including the Estimates Committee, play a crucial role in enhancing the effectiveness and efficiency of the parliamentary system. They enable in-depth scrutiny of legislative proposals, policies, and budgets, facilitate the development of specialized expertise among MPs, and promote a non-partisan approach to parliamentary work.