According to LS speaker Om Birla, Parliamentary Committees are the “backbone of parliamentary democracy.
Parliamentary committees
Standing Committees – PAC, Estimate committee, Committee on public undertaking
Ad-Hoc Committees – Eg- JPC
Importance of Parliamentary Committees
Checks and Balances – Eg- PAC examined CAG’s 2G spectrum report for irregularities.
In-Depth Policy Analysis – Enable clause-by-clause scrutiny of Bills, which is not possible in open House debates. Eg- JPC on Data Protection Bill (2019) proposed over 90 amendments
Reducing Legislative Workload – Committees share Parliament’s burden, ensuring thorough scrutiny without delaying legislation.
Expert Consultation – Committees invite experts, industry, and civil society to promote evidence-based policymaking.
Budgetary Oversight – Departmentally Related Standing Committees (DRSCs) analyse ministry budgets to ensure fiscal prudence.
Consensus Building – Committees promote bipartisan dialogue, e.g., IT Committee built consensus on the Personal Data Protection Bill (2019).
Public Engagement – Committees seek public and expert inputs, e.g., Standing Committee on Environment reviewed the EIA Draft Notification (2020).
Continuity in Oversight – Committees function year-round, ensuring continuous policy review beyond parliamentary sessions.
Bridging Knowledge Gaps – Committees enhance MPs’ expertise through research support and technical briefings.
Role of the Estimates Committee
Established under Rule 310 of the Lok Sabha, it has 30 Lok Sabha members and is chaired by a ruling party MP.
Examines budget estimates to ensure efficiency, economy, and effectiveness.
Suggests alternative policies for better fiscal management and administrative reform.
Monitors implementation of government schemes and performance of ministries.
Eg- Under Murli Manohar Joshi (2018), it reviewed PSU disinvestment and defence procurement, highlighting fiscal prudence.
In the words of Woodrow Wilson, “Congress in session is Congress on public exhibition, while Congress in its committee rooms is Congress at work.”