Polity Notes

Parliamentary Committees
 Parliamentary Committees originated in Britain. At present, they are more used in USA.
 In India, these started through Govt. of India Act 1919.
 In 1921, the first Parliamentary Committee was constituted.
 Parliamentary Committees are of 2 types-
1. Permanent Committee 2. Temporary Committees
 1/3 members are required to be present to complete quorum for Parliamentary Commit-
tees.
Importance of Parliamentary Committees
 These are based on the principle of division of work. Parliament has a lot of work and
limited time, thus the Parliament divides the work between committees which saves him.
 It gives encouragement to expertise. A person who is expert of the concerned sector, is
appointed as the member of committee
 It ensures confidentiality. There are so many confidential facts which are related to national
importance which cannot be openly discussed in the house. They can be discussed in the
committees.
 It increases control of legislative over executive through Parliamentary Committees
 Increases cooperation between Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha because in many committees
members are from both Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha
 It ensures cooperation between ruling and opposition parties, since members of both the
parties are there as committee members.
Permanent Committees:
1. Estimates Committee: (Girish Bapat)
 30 members (originally 25, increased to 30 in 1956)
 All members are from Lok Sabha
 Election of members- proportional representation system.
 Tenure- 1 year
 A minister cannot be a member.
Function-
 to review the budget estimates, bring out irregularities in the budget estimates and to
give suggestions.
2. Public Account Committee: (Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury)
 22 members (Lok Sabha-15, Rajya Sabha-7)
 Chairperson- from opposition party
 Election of members- proportional representation system.
 Tenure- 1 year

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 A minister cannot be a member.
Function-
 to review the CAG's report
 to review budget operation and highlight the inconsistencies
3. Committee on Public Sector Undertaking:
 22 members (Lok Sabha-15, Rajya Sabha-7)
 Election of members- proportional representation system.
 Tenure- 1 year
 A minister cannot be a member
Function-
 to review the CAG's report on PSUs
4. Business Advisory Committee:
 Separate for Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha.
 Lok Sabha-15 members (Chairman- Speaker)
 Rajya Sabha- 11 members (Chairman- Chairperson)
Function-
 decides on the daily proceedings of the houses.
5. Departmental Committees:
 Trace their origins to USA.
 In 1989, Act was passed by the Parliament for departmental committees.
 1993- 17 Departmental Committees were constituted.
 2004- Number of Departmental Committees increased to 24.
 Total 31 members- 21 Lok Sabha, 10 Rajya Sabha
 Chairman of 16 Departmental Committees is appointed by the Speaker of Lok Sabha.
 Chairman of 8 Departmental Committees is appointed by the Chairman of Rajya Sabha.
Functions-
 After presentation of budget by the Finance Minister, the budget is handed over to the
respective Departmental Committees.
 These committees review the allocations made for different departments.
 1 committee can review the budgets of more than 1 department.
Temporary Committee
 These committees are constituted for a particular objective. After the objective is com-
plete, the committee ceases to exist.
Ex- for a particular bill, committee is constituted.
 Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC)
 For specific objective
 31 members( 21-Lok Sabha, 10-Rajya Sabha)
Various JPC constituted till now-
1. Bofors scam
2. Harshad Mehta share market scam

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3. Pesticides in soft drinks
4. Ketan Parekh share market scam
5. 2G scam (P C Chacko)
6. VVIP chopper scam (not yet constituted)
Article 119:
 Regulation by law of procedures in Parliament in relation to financial business.
Article 120:
 Language to be used in Parliament.
 Hindi and English are used.
 With the consent of speaker/ chairman, other languages can also be used.
Article 121:
 Restriction on discussion in Parliament
 No discussion shall take place in Parliament with respect to the conduct of any Judge
 Which means in Parliament, the working of Judiciary can't be criticized.
 In case of motion regarding removal of a Judge, discussion can take place.
Article 122:
 Courts not to inquire into proceedings of Parliament
Article 123:
 Ordinance making Power of President.

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