The constitution of India mentions the parliamentary committees but without making any specific provisions regarding their composition, tenure, functions etc.
A parliamentary committee means:
- Appointed/elected by house or nominated by speaker/chairman.
- Works under direction of speaker/chairman.
- Presents its report to the house/speaker/chairman.
- Has secretariat provided by Lok Sabha or Rajya Sabha.
The consultative committees are not parliamentary committees because they do not fulfill above four conditions.
The parliamentary committees are divided into two categories:
- Standing committees: Permanent
- Ad hoc committees: Temporary
Standing Committees
The standing committees are classified into six categories as follow:
1. Financial Committees:
Public Account Committee (PAC):
This committee was set up first in 1921 under the provisions of Government of India Act of 1919. The committee consists of twenty-two members(15 from Lok Sabha and 7 from Rajya Sabha). A minister cannot be elected as a member of this committee. The chairman of a committee is selected from the opposition. The PAC examine the annual audit reports (on appropriation accounts, finance accounts and public undertakings) of the Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG). The CAG acts as guide, friend and philosopher of the Committee.
Estimate Committee:
The Estimate committee consists of thirty members and all of these members are from Lok Sabha only. The Rajya Sabha has no representation in this committee. A minister cannot be elected as a member of the committee. It examines the estimates included in budget and suggest ‘economies’ in public expenditure. Hence, it is described as a ‘continuous economy committee.’
Committee on Public Undertakings:
This committee was created in 1964 on the recommendation of the Krishna Menon Committee. The committee consists of twenty-two members (15 from Lok Sabha and 7 from Rajya Sabha). A minister cannot be elected as a member of the committee. The chairman of the committee from amongst its members who are drawn from the Lok Sabha only.
2. Departmental Standing Committees:
On the recommendation of the Rules Committee of the Lok Sabha, Departmental Standing Committees had been established. Presently, there are twenty-four departmental standing committees working in the Parliament. Out of the 24 committees, 8 committees work under the Rajya Sabha and 16 committees work under the Lok Sabha.
3. Committees to Inquire:
- Committees on Petitions:
The Lok Sabha committee consists of 15 members, while the Rajya Sabha committee consists of 10 members.
- Committee of Privileges:
The functions of this committee are semi-judicial in nature. The Lok Sabha committee has 15 members, while the Rajya Sabha committee has 10 members.
- Ethics Committee:
This committee was constituted in Rajya Sabha in 1997 and in Lok Sabha in 2000. It examines misconduct and recommends appropriate action.
4. Committees to scrutinize and control:
- Committee on government assurances:
It was constituted in 1953. In the Lok Sabha, it consists of 15 members and in the Rajya Sabha, it consists of 10 members.
- Committee on subordinate legislation:
It was constituted in 1953. In both houses, the committee consists of 15 members. It examines and reports to the house whether the powers to make regulations, rules, sub-rules, bye-laws delegated by the parliament or conferred by the constitution to the executive are being properly exercised by it.
- Committee on papers laid on the table:
This committee was constituted in 1975. The Lok Sabha committee has 15 members, while the Rajya Sabha committee has 10 members. It does not examine statutory notifications and orders that fall under the jurisdiction of the committee on subordinate legislation.
- Committee on welfare of SCs and STs:
This committee consists of 30 members out of which 20 from Lok Sabha and 10 from Rajya Sabha.
- Committee on Empowerment of Women:
This committee was constituted in 1997. The committee consists of 30 members out of which 20 from Lok Sabha and 10 from Rajya Sabha.
- Joint Committee on Offices of Profit:
This committee consists of 15 members out of which 10 from Lok Sabha and 5 from Rajya Sabha.
5. Committees related to day-to-day Business:
- Business Advisory Committee (BAC):
The Lok Sabha committee consists of 15 members including Speaker as its chairman. In the Rajya Sabha, it has 11 members including Chairman as its ex-officio member.
- Committee on Private Members’ Bills and Resolutions:
This is a special committee of the Lok Sabha and consists of 15 members including Deputy Speaker as its chairman. The Rajya Sabha does not have any such committee. The same function in RS performed by Business Advisory Committee of that house.
- Rules Committee:
The Lok Sabha committee consists of 15 members including the Speaker as its ex-officio chairman. In the Rajya Sabha, it consists of 16 members including the chairman as its ex-officio chairman.
- Committee on Absence of Members from Sittings of the House:
If a member absent for a period of 60 days or more without permission, this committee examines such cases. The committee in LS consists of 15 members and there is no such committee in RS.
6. House Keeping or Service Committees:
- General Purposes Committee
- House Committee
- Library Committee
- Joint Committee on Salaries and Allowances of Members.
Ad Hoc Committees
Ad hoc committees can be devided into two categories such as Inquiry Committees and Advisory Committees.