WN ON PARLI PROCEDURE (3),2013

PA I! I,IAIIEIVTANy PNOCEbUR E
RESOLUrIONS
' A Resolution is also one of the procedural means available to the members and the Ministers.to mise a
discussion in the House on a matter of glnerai public inteiilst. A resolution is in fact a Substantive Notion. Unlike
motions in ieneral, forms of resolutions have been provided by the Rules of Procedure concerning both the
Houses. Accordingly, a resolution to be moved in the House may be in the form of a decldration of opinion or a
recommendation; or may be in the form so as to record either approvai or disapproval by the House of an act or
policy of "the Government or convey a message; or commend, urge or request an action; or..call.attention to a
matter or situatipn for considerdtion by the government; or in such other forms as the Presiding fficer may
consider appropriate.

Differehce between a Motion and a Resolution: Motions and resolutions have many things in common. The
difference is more of procedure than of content. Quite often, both, motions and resolutions on the same subject
are admitted with some slight charige of form. Whereas all Resolutions come. in the cdtegory of subsfantive
motions, all motions need not necessarily be substantive. Fur:ther, all motions need not necessarily be put to vote
of the House, whereas all the Resolutions are required to be voted upon. Whib there is provision to move a
substitute motion to a main Motion, there is no such substitution possible in the case of a Resolution. Resolutions
may be classified as Private Membbr Resolutions, Government Resolutions and Statutory Resolutions.

Private Member Resolutions: Resolutions which are moved by Members other than Ministers are called Private
Member Resolutions.. They enable the government to gauge the feelings of the House with regard to proposals
which are still indefinite or may be ahead of public opinion. I
A member who wants to move Resoiution has
to give notice to the Secretary-General informing him of intention to move the same. lf a number of Mps wish to
give Note, it is decided by ballot, to allow them to give Notice. Three members in Lok Sabha and five in Rajya
Sabha are allowed to give notice of one resolution each. These resolutions are listed under Private Member
Resolutions. Allocation of time for Private Member Resolutions is done by the Committee on pM Bills and
Resolutions. Generally, last two and-a-half hours of the sitting on every alternative Friday are allotted for private
Member Resolutions. When called upon by the Chair, the MP conceined moves the Fiesolution and makes a
speech thereon. Other members and the Minister concerned also speak thereafter. Amendments could be moved
by other MPs. The mover of the Resolution has got a right of reply after the Minister's speech.

Government Resotutions: Resolutions moved by the Ministers are known as Government Resolutions. Ministers
also are required to give prior notice to the Secretary{eneral to move a resolution. Though no period has been
prescribed for this, in actual practice, ministers give such notices several days in
advance. These notices are also
subject to the same rules of admissibility as the private members resolutions. When. admitted, time for
discussion
is allotted on the recommendation of the Business Advisory Committee. Rest of the procedure to dispose
is the
same as in the case of Private Members Resolutions. Resolutions tabled by Ministers are generally
for ieeking the
approval of the House.to international treaties, conventions or agreements to which the government
is a party; or
for declaring or approving cedain policies national and international of the government; or for taking
-
approval to the recommendations of certain committees.
- the
Statutory Resolutions: These resolutions may be moved either by a'Minister or by a private Member. They
are
so called because they are always tabled in pursuance of a provision in the Constitution or an
Act of parliament.
Th91e t's no specific period of nofice for moving a statutory resolutions, unless the period
itself is prescribed in the
particular adicle of the Constitution or in the section of the statute
under which it is tabled. Rest of the procedure
to deal with such Resolutions are the same for Government Resolutions.
' A copy of all categories of Resolutions is forwarded to the minister concerned by the
Secretary-General,
after it has been passed by the House.
Effect of Motions or Resolutions adopted by the House: By voting on a motion or a resolution,
the House
declares its opinion with regard to the subject matter thereof ana it beiomes an order
of the House. As far as
their effect is concerned, resolutions passed by the Parliarnent fall in the following categories;
(i) Resolutions expressing merely an opinion of the House are not bindini on tire government.
As a matter
of practice, it is entirely the diiscretion of the government whether to giire effect io such
opinion or NoT,
(ii) Resolutions adopted in matters concerning its own proceedings are'binding and have
the force of law.
Their validity cannot be challenged in courts. .

(iii) Statutory Reso-lutions are binding on government and have the force of law. The Constitution provides
for this kind of resolutions to be moved for purposes like impeachment of the president,
removal of the
Vice-President, speaker, Deputy SR5akeq and the Deputy Chairman of the Rajya
Sabha; disapproval of
an Ordinance promulgated by the Preslden! empowering the Parliament to tegistate
on a subject in the
State List in national interest; creation of All lidia Services; and approval or dilapproval
of proclamation
of Emergenry
 since the purpose of resotutions is merery to obtain an
-r{r::"'l#{:::::3ff#;i.r.j;'
opinion of the House,
' where the opposition may succeed in getting a
resolution passed by the House much against the wishes of the
treasury benches. There is no hard and'rasl rule as to
the questi;; or rurigna-tion by a government rhe only
broad principle is that a government is expected to resiqn
office or advice dissolution of the House, if it.is defeated
on a subject considered to.be a majol issue or on a-speciftc motion
of no-confidence brought forward by the
Opposition and bdopted by the House.

PAnLraMEtrTAnY COIvr PriTTE ES

The work done by the Ptirliament in.modern times is not only varied in
nature, but considemble in volume.
The time at'its'disposal is limited. It cannot, thereforg give close consideration
matters that come up before it. A good deal of its business is, therefore,
to'urr-ir'JlA;;l#; and ottrer
transacted by what are called the
Parliamentary Commitbees
RULES OF PROCEDURE OF PARLIAMENTARY COMMITTEES
. Following are the'rules of procedure'for parliamentary committees:
i' .No member shall be appointed to a Parliamentary Committee if he is unwilling to serue on the Gommittee.
' The Chairnian of the Committee shall be appointed by the Speaker from amongst its members.
If the
Speaker is a member and functions as an ex-officio Chairman, the Deputy speakJr, if he is
a member of
the Committee, shall be afrpointed.
ii' The quorum to constitute a sitting of the Committee shall be, generally around 1/3d of the total
number of
the members of the Committee. When the Committee has been aiiourned for lack of quorum on two
successive occasions, fact shall be reported to the House/speaker.
iii' If a member is absent from two or more consecutive meetings of the Committee without the permission of
the Chairman, he may be discharged by the House or the Speaker as the casq may be.
iv' The Committee may appoint one or more sub-Committees each having the powers of the urdivided
committee.
v' The sittings of the Committee shall be held in private and generally within the precincb of the parliament
House.
vi. The Committee may sit while the House is sitting and the members will be called to the House if there is
need for their participation in a ,division'.
vii. Witnesses may be summoned by an order signed by the Secretary-General and shall produce such
documents as are required for the use of the Committee. The evidence so tendered will be treated secret
or confidential. A Parliamentary Committee has powers to send for persons, papers and records. However,
the Government may decline to produce a document on the grounds of 'safety or interest of the State,.
viii. A Parliamentary Committee may make speciat reports even if such matter is beyond its tenns of
reference.
' ix' The Committee may direct that the whole or a part of the evidence or summary thereof may be faid on the
Table of the House. Till such tabling, it is kept confidential.
x. When no time limit is fixed, the report of the Committee is submitted within a period of one month. part
report may also be submitted. Reporflpart-Report is kept confidential till it is submitted to the House.
xi. A Committee may make recommendations through Resolutions suggesting modifications in the ruhs of
procedures.
xii. Prorogation of the House does not result in the dissolution of the Commiftee which can continue its
business.
Ad hoc and Standinq Committees:
Parliamentary Committees are of two kinds: Ad hoc Committees and the Standing Committees.
Ad hoc Commiftees
are appointed for a specific purpose and they cease to exist when they finish the-task assigned
to them and submit
a repoft. The principal Ad hoc Comrnittees are the Select and Joint Committees on Bills. Others like the Railway
Convention Commiftee, the Committees on the Draft Five Year Plans and the Hindi Equivalents
Committee are
appointed for specific purposes. Apart from the Ad hoc Committees, each House of parliament
has Standing
Committees like the Business Advisory Committee, the Committee on Petitions, the Committee
of privileges and Lhe
Rules Committee, etc.
Parliamentary Committee is a Committee appointed/elected by the House or nominated by the Speaker.
Finance Committees and Committee for the Welfareof the SC/ST are elected Committees.
Other Committees are
Nominated Committees.
There are Standing Committees and Ad-hoc Committees. Standing Commiftee is elected or nominated
every year or from time to time and is a permanent Committee while ad-hoc committees are constituted by the
Speaker/Chairman for a specific purpose and once the purpose is over or served,
the Commiftee is wound up.
Some Committees act as Parliamenfs'Watch Dogs'over the Executive. These are the Finance Committes
(Estimates Committee, Public Accounts Committee and the
Committee on Public Undertakings) Committees on
!-t'bordinate Legislation, Committde on Government Assurances, and DeparLmentally Related StlnOing Committees
(DRSG).
 wN oN PAMI PR^'EDURE (3)' 2ot 3
' Estimates Cornmittee'
In some committees, Minister cannot be a member. Eg. Public Accounts Committee,
committee on Government Assurances,
committee on public undertakings, committee on subordinate Legislation,
.

Committee' on Petitions.

OMMITTEES
SELECT & JOINT COMMITTEES
it is open to that House to refer it to a Select
When a Bill comes up before a Houseior general discussion,
Committee of the House or a Joint Committee of the two Houses'

1. COMMITTEE ON ESTIMATES
The
This Commiftee is a mechanisrn to ensure e*ective Farliarnentary control over nationat expendihrre.
presented tp the House to secure
objective of the committee is to provide detailed examination of the estimates
possible economies in the execution ofplans and programmes.
. This Committee consists. of 30 members *ho are elected by the Lok Sabha every year from amongst
its
from
membefs. R Minirt"r is not eligible for election to this Committee. Chairman is appointed by the $peaker,
is one
among tne members. If Deputy.Speaker is a member, hq is the Chairman. The term of the Committee "
year.
The main .function of the Committee .on Estimates is to report what economies, improvements in
organisation, efficiency, or administrative reform, consistent with the policy undeilying the estimates could be'
'effecteO and to suggest alternative policies in order to bring about efficiency and economy in administratitrn. From
time to time the Committee selects such of the estimates pertaining to a Ministry or a group of Minisbies or the
statutory and other Government bodies as may seem fit to the Committee. It may also suggest the form in which
the Estimates are to be prepared. The Committee also examines matters of special interest which may arise or
come to light in the course of its work or which are specifically referred to it by the House or the Speaker.

2. COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC ACCOUNTS

This Committee consists of 22 members, i.e. 15 elected by the Lok Sabha and 7 elected from the Rajya
Sabha. Chairman is appointed from among the members of the Committee. Chairman of the C.ommittee is
appointed by the Speaker. If Dy. Speaker is a member, he will function as the Chairman. A Parliamentarian rather
than an MP is chosen for this position. A Minister is not eligible for election to this Committee. The term of the
Committee is one year.
The main duty of the Committee is to asceftain whether the money granted by Parliament has been spent
by Government "within the scope of the Demand". The Appropriation Accounts of the Government of lrdia and the
Audit Reports presented by the Comptroller and Auditor General are the main basis for the examirntion of the
Committee. Cases involving losses, nugatory expenditirre and financial irregularities come in for sevete criticism by
the Committee. The Committee is not concerned with questions of policy. It is concerned only with the execution
of the policy laid down by Parliament and its results. It ensures high standards of financial propriety and also
ensures economy.
Its duties include:-
(i) to ensure that money is spent as Parliament intended;
(ii) to ensure the exercise of due economy and to draw attention to cases of waste, extravagane, lossds and
nugatory expenditure;
(iii) to ensure that a high standard of public rnorality in all financial matters is maintained;
(iv)to examine the statement of accounts showing the income and expenditure of State Corporations'Trading and
manufacturing schemes and projects, in the light of the repoft of the CMG;
(v)to examine the statement of accounts showing the income and expenditure of autonomous and semi-
autonomous bodies, the audit of which may be conducted by the C&AG,
(vi)to consider the report of the C&AG in cases where auditing was carried out on the specific orders of the
President.

3. COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC UNDERTAKINGS

The Commiftee on Public Undertakings consists of 15 members etected by the Lok Sabha and 7 members
of Rajya Sabha are associated with it. Chairman is appointed by the Speaker from among the members. A Minister
is not eligible for election to this Committee. The term of the Committee is one year.
The functions of the Committee on Public Undertakings are{a) to examine the reports and accounts of
Public Undertakings; (b) to examine the reports, if any, of the Comptroller and Auditor General on the Public
Undertakings; (c) to examine in the context of the autonomy and efficiency of the Public Undertakings whether the
affairs of the Public Undertakings are being managed in accordance with sound business principles and prudent
commercial practices; and (d) such other functions vested in the Committee on Public Accounts and tfre Committee
on Estimates in relation to the Public Undertakings as are not covered by clauses (a), (b) and (c) above and as
may be allotted to the Committee by the Speaker from time to time. The Committee does not, however, exarnine
matters of major Government pollcy.and matters of day-today administration of the Undertakings.
 wN oN PARLI PRoCEDURii (3), 2;.,,3
4.
COMMITTEE ON WELFARE OF SC/ST
The Committee comprises of 30 elected - members (20 from Lok Sabha and.10 from
Rajya sabha).
chairman is nominated by the Speaker among the members. it
t"rr.is.one year. Ministers are not eligible to be
elected to this Committee.
Functions:
1' To'consider all matters conceming the welfare of SC/STs falling within the purview
of the Union Govt and
UTs
2' To examine the report.of NationalCommission oir SC/ST (Afticle-338) and suggest measures
taken by the
. Union Government.
.3. To scrutinise the extent of implementation'of various programmes and to identify weak areas.
4. To'examine the measures taken by'Union Government to secure ;p;;;;.,t.tion
'services, giving proper or sc/ST in public
regard to provisions in Article 335.
5. To report on the welfare programmes.of sc/sr in union Territories.
6. To examine such other matters as may.deem fit to the Committee or are specifically
referred td it by the
House or the Speaker..

5. Business Advisory Committee(BAG)

' The BAC of Lok Sabha consisb of FIFTEEN MEMBERS including the Speaker who is the ex-officio
Chairman. The members are nominated by the Speaker. Almost all sections of the House are .represented in the
Committee as per the respective strength of parties in the House. The function of the Committee is to recommend
the time that should be allotted for the discussion of such Government legislative and other business as the
Speaker may direct, in consultation with the Leader of the House. The Commi'ttee, on its own initiative, may also
recommend to the Government to bring fonruard particular subjects for discussion in the House and recommend
allocation of time for such discussions. The decisions reached by the Committee are always unanimous in character
and representative of the collective view of the House. The Committee generally meets at the beginning of each
Session and thereafter as and when necessary.
As regards the Rajya Sabha, the BAC consists of ELEVEN MEMBERS, including the Chairman and the
Deputy Chairman, nominated by the Chairman. The Chairman is the Chairman of the Committee. In the absence of
the Chairman, the Deputy Chairman acts as the Chairman for that meeting. The Committee holds office until a new
Committee is nominated. Normally the Committee is reconstituted every year. A few other Members belonging to
different political parties, which are not represented on the Committee aie specially invited as Special Invitees. The
decisions of the Committee is notified in parliamentary Bulletin.

6. Committee on Subordinate Legislation

The Committee consists of 15 MEMBERS, nominated by the Speaker. Chairman is appointed from
among the members, by the Speaker . .Minister is not nominated to this Committee. The term of the Committee
is one year.
As regards the Rajya Sabha the Committee on Subordinate Legislation consists of 15 members nominated
by the Chairman. The Chairman of the Committee is appointed by the Chairman from amongst the members of
the Committee. If the Chairman of the Committee is absent from any meeting, the Committee chooses another
member to act as Chairman of the Committee for that meeting. The Committee holds office till a new Committee
is nominated. Normally the Committee is reconstituted every year.
The functions of the Committee are to scrutinise and repoft to the Sabha (a) whether it iS in accordance
with the general objects of the Constitution or the Act pursuant to which it is made; (b) whether it contains matter
which in the opinion of the Commiftee should more properly be dealt within an Act'of Parliament; (c) whether it
contains imposition of any tax; (d) whether it directly or indirectly bars the jurisdiction of the courts; (e) whether it
gives retrospective effect to any of the provisions in respect of which the Constitution or the Act puisuant
to which
it is made does not expressly give any such power; (f) whether it involves expenditure from the Consolidated Fund
of India or the public revenues; (g) whether it appears to make sorne unusual or unexpected use of the powers
conferred by the Constitution or the Act pursuant to which it is made; (h) whether there appears to have been
unjustifiable delay in its publication or in laying it before Parliament; anO
purpoft calls for any elucidation.
ti; whether for any reason its form or

7. Committee on Private Members'Bilts and Resolutions

This Committee is constituted after each general elections and thereafter on lst June each year. The
Committee is nominated by the Speaker. This Committee consists of 15 members and the Deputy Speiker is its
Chairman when nominated as a member of he Committee. The functions of the Committee are to allot time to
Private Members'Bills and Resolutions, to examine Private Members'Bills seeking to amend the Constitution
before
their introduction in Lok Sabha, to examine all Private Members' Bills after they ire introduced and before they are
taken up for consideration in the House and to classifo them according to their nature, urgency and impoftance
into two categories namely, category A and category B and also to examine such Private Membeis' Bills where the
 ' wN oN PAMI PROCEDURE (3)' 2ol3

legislative competence of the House is challenged. The Committee, thus, pedorms the same function
in
relation to private Members'.Bills and Resjutions as the Business Advisory Committee does in regard
to Government Business. The Committee holds office for a term of one year. The report is submitted to the
Speaker.

8. Committee on Government Assurances

This Committee consists of 15 memberc nominated by the Speaker. A Minister is not nominated to this
Commitgee. While replying to questions in the House or during discussions on'Bills, Resolutions, Motions'etc.,
Ministers at times give asiurances or.undertakingjs either to consider a matter or- to take.,qction'or to furnish the
House further information'latef. The functions of .tnis Commiftee are to scrutinizerth6i'"q.Csurances, prcimises,
undertakings etc. given by Ministers from time to time and to reportto Lok Sabha on the'€xtent to which such
assu€nces etc. have been implemented and to see whether such implementation has taken place within the
. minimum time necessary for the purpose.
As regards Rajya Sabha, this Committee came into existence on 1.7.1972for the first time. It consists of
.ten Members nominated by the Chairman and holds office until a new Committee is nominated. Normally, the
Committee is reconstituted every !'ear. The Chairman of the'Committee is appointed by the Chairman from
amongst the.Members of the Committee. Quorum is five.
. The functions of the C.ommittee are to scrutinise the assurances, promises, undeftakings, etc. given by the
Ministers, from time to time on the floor of the House and to report (a) the extent to which such assurances,
promises, undertakings etc have been fully or satisfactorily implemented; and (b) whether such implementation
has taken place within the minimum time necessary for the purpose or whether there hb3 been an inordinate delay
in the implementation of assurances and if so, the reason therefor.
The Committee's Chairman has been authorized to grant extension of time for implementation of
assurances in respect of cases where request of Ministries for such eltensions from time to time does not exceed
the period of one year. The Report of the Committee is presented to the House by the Committee Chairman or in
his absence, by any Member of the Committee. Apart from specific cases of assurances, the report generally
contains analysis of cases where the Government has taken a long time in the implementation of assurances,
cases of requests for extension of time in implementation of assurances, assurances which do not appear to have
fully or satisfactorily implemented, review of pending assurances, and assurances which have been recommended
for dropping.
All the relevant details relating to assurances e.g. Assurance No., source and date, subject, extent of
Assurance, reasons for pendancy, extension given with date, date of laying of Implementation Report and date of
dropping etc. are available on a client server based software with web enabled outputs and a search facility and
the information can be accessed from Internet site http:\\rajyasabha.nic.in.

9. Committee on Petititons
The Committee on Petitions consists of 15 members nominated by the Speaker. A Minister cannot be a
member. If a member, after his nomination to the Committee, is appointed a Minister, he shall cease to be
member of the Cornmittee. The Committee examines every petition referred to it by the House and reports to the
House, after taking such evidence as it deemed fit suggesting remedial measures either in a concrete form
applicable to the case under review or to prevent such cases in future. Besides, it also considers representations
from individuals and associations, etc. on subjects which are not covered by the rules relating to petitions and
gives directions for their disposal. After examination, the Committee may direct that it may be circulated either in
extenso or in summary form.
In accordance with the latest instructions of the Speaker, petitions which are not othenvise admissibte are
also informally placed before the Committee, for their consideration.
As regards Rajya Sabha, this Committee consists of ten members nominated by the Chairman. The
Chairman of the Committee is appointed by the Chairman from amongst the members of the Committee. If the
Deputy Chairman is a member of the Committee, he/she is the Chairman of the Committee. The Committee holds
office till a new Committee is nominated. Normally the Committee is reconstituted every year.
The reports of the Committee are presented to the House by the Chairman of the Committee or in his
absence by any.member of the Co4rnittee from time to time. A copy of the Report after its presentation to the
Council, is also sent to the first petitioner and to the Member countersigning the petition if any.
The Committee pursues with the Government the recommendations made in its reports presented to the
House from time to time in order to ensure their effective implementation. The Ministries/Departments of the
Government are asked to inform the Committee within six months from the date of presentation of the report
about the action taken or proposed to be taken by them on the reporb. The Committee is empowered, wherever
necessary, to present further repots on the petitions considered earlier by it.

1O. Committee on Privileges

. The Members of Parliament are entitled to certain privileges and immunities to enable them to perform their
responsibilities/duty effectively. This Committee consists of 15 members nominated by the Speaker. The Speaker
)
 may refer any question of privilege to this committee for examination,'investig
^rr"^*::d::#:;^it::trflrif;:
examines every question refeffed to it and determines with reference to the factJ of each case whether a breach of
privilege of the House, its members or the members of 'any of the Parliamenta'ry Committees is involved
and if so,
the nature of the breach, the circumstbnces lading to it and makes such recommendations as it may deem.fit. The
report may also state the procedure to be followed by thd House in giving effect to the recommendations made by
the Committee.

Chairman of the Committee is appointed by the Chairman from amongst the members of the Committee.. The
Committee holds office till a new Committee is nominated. Normally the CLmmittee is reconstituted every year.

Committee or in his absence by 'any member of the Committee. After the report is piesented, a motion for
consideration of the report may be moved by the Chairman of the Committee or any other member of the
Committee. As a practice, the motion for consideration of the report is moved only in case some action is
recommended by the Committee. Any member may give notice of amendment to the motion for consideration of
the report in such form as may be considered appropriate by the Chairman.
The procedures are applicable for both the Houses

11. Committee On Absence Of Members From The Sittings

' This committee is not constituted in the Rajya Sabha. In the Lok Sabha, it consists of 15 members
nominated by the Speaker. Its term of office is one year. The Committee pertorms the follbwing functions:
1. It considers all applications from members for leave of absence from the House.
2. It examines all such cases where a member of the Lok Sabha remains absent from the sittings of the
House for sixlry or more than sixty days without the prior permission of the Speaker.
3. After such examination, it reports whether the absence should be condoned or the seat of the concerned
member should be declared vacant in view of the circumstances of the case.
4. The Committee also performs such other related functions as are entrusted to the Committee by the
Speaker from time to time.

12. Rules Committee

The Rules Committee consists of 15 members including the Speaker who is the ex-officio Chairman of the
Committee. The members are nominated by the Speaker. The Committee considers matters of procedure and
conduct of business in the House and recommends any amendments or additions to the Rules of Procedure and
Conduct of Business in Lok Sabha that are considered necessary.
Rajya Sabha has a similar committee of its own. Chairman, Ra;iya Sabha is the Chairman of the Committee.
In the absence of Chairman, the Deputy Chairman acts as the Chairman of the Committee in his place. The
Committee holds office till a new Committee is nominated. Normally the Committee is reconstituted every year.
The Committee considers matters of procedure and conduct of business in the House and recommends
any amendments or additions to the rules that may be deemed necessary. The quorum for holding a meeting of
the Committee is five. After a report is presented, a motion for consideration of the report may be moved by a
member of the Committee designated by the Chairman. Members by giving prior notice can move amendments to
the motion for consideration of the report. Amendments to the rules as approved by the House come into force on
such date as the Chairman may appoint.

13. Committee on Papers Laid on the Tabte

This Committee consists of 15 members nominated by the Speaker. Its function is to examine all papers
laid on the Table of the House by Ministers (other than those which fall within the purview of the Committee on
Subordinate Legislation or any other Parliamentary Committee) and to repoft to the House-(a) whether there has
been compliance of the provisions of the Constitution, Act, rule or regulation under which the paper has been laid,
(b) whether there has been any unreasonable delay in laying the paper, (c) if there has been such delay, whether
a statement explaining the reasons for delay has been laid on the Table of the House and whether those reasons
are satisfactoty, (d) whether both the Hindi and English versions of the paper have been laid on the Table, (e)
whether a statement explaining the reasons for not laying the Hindi version has been given and whether such
reasons are satisfactory, (f) such other functions in respect of the papers laid on the Table as may be assigned to
it by the Speaker from time to time.As regards the Committee on Papers Laid on the Table consists of ten
members nominated by the Chairman. The Chairman of the Committee is appointed by the Chairman from
amongst the members of the Committee. If the Chairman of the Committee is absent from any meeting, the.
Committee chooses another member to act as Chairman of the Committee for that meeting. The Committee holds
office till a new Committee is nominated. Normally the Committee is reconstituted every year.
The Committee was set up to examine papers and documents tabled in the House as part of a
constitutional or statutory obligation of the Government, in order to keep the House and its Members informed of
activities and actions of the Government and Government funded or Government aided bodies. After a document is
laid before the House by a Minister, the Committee considers whether -
 : wN oN PAMI PR):EDURE(3)'2u3

(a) there has been compliance with the provisions of the Constitution or the Act of Parliament
or any
. other law, rdle or regulation in put*u*" of which the doarment
has been so laid;
(b) there has been any unreaso""6l; ;;Gtln hying the document before the Codncil and if so, whether a
statement explaining ttre reasoni for such dela-y has also been laid
before the Council along with the
- document, unA *n"[t',"r those reasons are satisfactory; and
and if not, whether a
(c) the document has been laid before the Council Uon in English and Hindi also been laid before the
statement explaining the reasons for not laying the documenfin Hindi has
are satisfactory. The Committee
Council along with-ttre Oocument, and *'huiher those reasons
Table.as may be assigned to it by
;;;r such.other functions in respect of the papers lairJ on the
- --a' , - the Chairman or the Council from time to time. : i:

Generalry a Session wise Report ii prepareO with reference to atl the

papers laid during a Session with
regard to the above mentioned points. The Committee may also examine and report on
any specific paper laid'
on the Table if circumstances so require. The reports of the C-ommittee are presented to the House from time to
time by the Chairman of the Committee or, in his absence, by any member of the Committee. Generally,
Members

are expected not to raise points of order with regard to tabling of Government papers and all such'points are
referred for examination to the Committee.

14. Committee on Empowerment of Women

by
This Committee game into being on 29th April, L997, as a consequence of identical Resolutions adopted
'both the Houses of parliament on the occasion of International Womens'Day on Bth March, 1996. The
Cominittee consists of 3O members, 20 nominated from Lok sabha by'one the Speaker and 10 from Rajya
Sabha nominated by the Chairman. The term of the Committee is of year. The Committee has been
primarily rnandated with the task of reviewing and monitoring the measures taken by the Union Government in
the direction of securing for women equality,.ltatus and dignity in all matters. The Committee would also suggest
necessary correctives for improving -the status/condition of women. It also examines the measures taken by the
Union Government for comprehLnsive education and adequate representation of women in Legislative
bodies/services and other fieds. The Committee would also Consider the report of the National Commission for
Women. The Committee may also examine such other matters as may seem fit to them or are specifically referred
to them by the Lok Sabha or the Speaker and the Rajya Sabha or the Chairman, Rajya Sabha.

15. Committee on Members of Parliament Local Area Development Scheme(MPLADS)

The MPLADS was constituted by the then .Chairman, RS on 5.9.1998. It consists of 10 members
including the Dy, Chairman, RS who is also the Chairperson of the Commiftee. There is a separate Committee on
MPLADS for Lok Sabha. This ad-hoc Committee of Lok Sabha consists of 24 Members nominated by the
Speaker for a period of ONE YEAR. The Committee is reconstituted by the Speaker every year. The
Chairman is appointed by the Speaker from amongst the members. A Minister cannot be
nominated as a member. The Ministry of Statistics pnd Programme implementation is the Nodal Ministry
peftaining to the MPLAD Scheme. The Committee looks into all aspect of the list of works permissible under the
guidelines issued in this regard by the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Iniplementation. The Committee
monitors the timely release of funds by the Ministry to the District Collectors, proper and timely execution of the
recommended work by the Members and suggest measures for removal of botHe-necks. It also forwards the
grievances of the Members to the Ministry and suggests measures for their speedy disposal so as to inform the
Members from time to time. The Committee holds meetings at regular interuals to examine the various issues
referred to it by the Members, Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation and Lok Sabha Commiftee
on MPLADS and recommends its views for an amendment to the guidelines wherever necessary. The repoft of
the committee are presented to the House from time to time by the Chairperson.

16. Committee on Ethics (Rajya Sabha)

The Committee on Ethics of Rajya Sabha was constituted by the then Chairman, Rajya Sabha Shri K.R.
Narayanan on 4.3.97. The Committee consists of 1O members including the Chairman of the Committee who are
nominated by the Chairman, Rajya Sabha. Leaders and in the event of their being Minister, Deputy Leaders or
Chief Whips of the Political Parties/Groups are generally nominated to the Committee. Casual vacancies in the
Committee are filled by nomination by the Chairman, Rajya Sabha. The Chairman of the Committee is nominated
by the Chairman, Rpjya Sabha. The Committee has to oversee the moral and ethical conduct of the members and
to examine cases referred to it with reference to ethical and other misconduct of members. In all respect os
procedure and other matters, rules applicable to the Committee of Privileges apply to the Committee on Ethics with
such variations and modifications as the Chairman, Rajya Sabha may, from time to time, make. The reports of the
Committee are presented to the House by the Chairman of the Committee.
17. Joint Committee on Offices of Profit
This Commiftee consists of 15 members. Ten members are elected from Lok Sabha and five from Rajya
Sabha. The Committee is constituted for the duration of each Lok Sabha. The main functions of the Committee are
 to examine the composition and character of the
and to recommend what offices should disqualiff
committees appointeid by th. c""[:"i::i**H'yr"*::E
;;, il;;.1.,il;
ano wnaf onices shoutd not disqualirv.u p"iron
as, and for being, a member of either l-Jouse of Parliament
. tol of the constitution.
under articte

CONSULTATIVE COMMITTEES

In addition to if,u Cabinet Committees and Parliamentary Committees, the system of iriformal consuttative
Committees was introduced in 1954; to enable the Members of parliambni
working of the Department/Ministry. They were subsequently formalised. The
toacquaint themselves with the
Minister for parliamentary
Afhirs
'nominates the members of Consultative
Committees. Mem'bers from. both the Houses are nominated. one
Member can be nominated to onty on" Cor*-itt*. nt'lo*ritteehas to be reconstituted every year -
n-ormally at the Budget Session. Chairman of the committee is the
Minister &.Vice-Chairman will the Minister of
State. Every year,..six meetingS. should be held. One meeting during the session and one inter-session.
m eetins s
B3[HlH:l'fli,i"fi;Hl g?:ff l'J Lii'ffi ffi :"J
A full-fledged system of L7 Departmentally Related Standing Committees came into
.
Number of such committees has been increased to 24. These Committees cover under
being in April, 1993.
their juiisdiction ail the
Ministries/ Departments of the Government of India. These Committees are as. under : ..

Na{ne of the Committee

1. Committee on Commerce
2. Committee on Home Affairs
3. Committee on Human Resource Development
4. Committee on Industry
5. Committee on Science & Technology, Environment & Forests
6. Committee on Transport, Tourism and Culture
7. Committee on Health and Family Welfare
B. Committee on Personnel, Pub. Grievances, Law and Justice.
9. Committee on Agriculture
10. Committee on Information Technology
11. Committee on Defence
12. Committee on Energy
13. Commiftee on External Affairs .
14. Committee on Finance
15. Committee on Food, Civil Supplies and public Distribution
16. Committee on Labour
17. Committee on Petroleum & Chemicals
18. Committee on Railways
19. Committee on Urban and Rural Development
20. Committee on Water Resources
21. Committee on Chemicals and Fertilizers
22. Committee on Rural Development
23. Committee on Coal and Stdel
24. Committee on SocialJustice and Empowerment.
Each of these Standing Committees consists of not more than 45 members-3o to be nominated by the
Speaker from amongst the members of Lok Sabha and 15 to be nominated by the Chairman, Rajya
Sabha from
amongst the members of Rajya Sabha. A Minister is not eligible to be nominated to these Commitiiees. The term
of members of these Committees is one year. With refererrce to the Ministries/Departments under their purview,
the functions of these committees are:
(a) bnsideration of Demands for Grants.
(b) Examination of Bills referred to by the Chairman, Rajya Sabha/the Speaker, Lok Sabha as the case may be.
(c) Consideration of Annual Reports.
(d) Consideration of national basic iong term policy documents presented to the House and refeged to the
committee tiy the chairman, Rajya sabhi or the ipea'ker, Lok sabha, as the case may be.
These Committees do not consider matters of dayto-day administration of the concerned
Ministries/Departments.The newly constituted departmentally relaied St5nding Committee System is a path-
breaking endeavour of the Padiamentary surveillance over administration. With tEe emphasis of their functioning
to
concentrate on long-term plans, policies and the philosophies guiding the working of the Executive, these
Commiftees will be in a very privileged position to provide necessary directr:on, guidancJand inputs for
broad policy
formulations and in achievement of the long-term national perspective by the Ex-ecutive_