Topic 05 of 6 · Chapter 08 · Indian Polity
Parliamentary Committees
Standing vs Ad hoc committees, PAC, Estimates Committee, Public Undertakings, and other key parliamentary committees.
📋 In This Article
1. Types of Committees
| Type | Nature | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| Standing Committees | Permanent; reconstituted every year | PAC, Estimates Committee, Business Advisory Committee, Rules Committee, Privileges Committee |
| Ad hoc Committees | Temporary; set up for a specific purpose; cease to exist after completing work | Select Committee on a Bill, Joint Committee on a Bill, Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) |
💡 Key Concept: Parliamentary committees are the “eyes and ears” of Parliament. They allow detailed examination of bills, government expenditure, and policies that cannot be done on the floor of the House due to time constraints.
2. Financial Committees
The three main financial committees of Parliament are:
- Public Accounts Committee (PAC)
- Estimates Committee
- Committee on Public Undertakings (COPU)
These committees scrutinize government expenditure and ensure financial accountability of the executive to Parliament.
3. Public Accounts Committee (PAC)
- Established in 1921 (oldest financial committee)
- Strength: 22 members (15 from Lok Sabha + 7 from Rajya Sabha)
- Term: 1 year
- Chaired by a member of the Opposition (convention since 1967)
- Examines the audit reports of the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG)
- Examines whether money granted by Parliament was spent as authorized
- Works in close association with the CAG
- Cannot interfere in matters of policy
- Recommendations are not binding on the government but carry great moral authority
⭐ Exam Tip: PAC is chaired by a member of the Opposition party — this is a convention (not a constitutional requirement) followed since 1967. PAC examines CAG reports — it is a post-mortem committee (examines past expenditure). It was established in 1921 under the Government of India Act, 1919.
4. Estimates Committee
- Established in 1950
- Strength: 30 members — all from Lok Sabha only (largest parliamentary committee)
- Term: 1 year
- Chaired by a member of the ruling party
- Examines the budget estimates (demands for grants) before they are voted upon
- Suggests economies and improvements in organization and efficiency
- Works on a continuing basis — cannot examine all estimates in one year
- Cannot question the policy underlying the estimates
✅ Remember: Estimates Committee = 30 members, all from Lok Sabha (largest committee). PAC = 22 members (15 LS + 7 RS). Estimates Committee is chaired by ruling party member; PAC by Opposition member.
5. Committee on Public Undertakings (COPU)
- Established in 1964
- Strength: 22 members (15 from Lok Sabha + 7 from Rajya Sabha)
- Term: 1 year
- Examines the reports and accounts of Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs)
- Examines whether PSUs are being managed in accordance with sound business principles
- Cannot examine matters of major government policy or day-to-day administration
6. Other Important Committees
| Committee | Function | Key Feature |
|---|---|---|
| Business Advisory Committee | Recommends time allocation for government and private member business | Chaired by Speaker (LS) / Chairman (RS) |
| Rules Committee | Considers matters of procedure and conduct of business | Chaired by Speaker (LS) / Chairman (RS) |
| Privileges Committee | Examines questions of breach of privilege of members | Protects parliamentary privileges |
| Committee on Petitions | Examines petitions presented to the House | Separate committees for each House |
| Committee on Subordinate Legislation | Scrutinizes delegated legislation (rules, regulations made by executive) | Ensures Parliament’s legislative intent is followed |
| Committee on Government Assurances | Scrutinizes assurances given by ministers on the floor of the House | Ensures ministers fulfill their promises |
| Departmentally Related Standing Committees (DRSCs) | 24 committees covering all ministries/departments | Examine bills, demands for grants, policies of respective ministries |
7. Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC)
A Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) is an ad hoc committee set up for a specific purpose, with members from both Houses of Parliament.
- Set up by a motion passed in one House and agreed to by the other
- Can be set up to examine a specific bill or investigate a specific matter
- Has powers to summon witnesses, call for documents
- Notable JPCs: Bofors scandal (1987), Securities scam (1992), Ketan Parekh securities scam (2001), 2G spectrum scam (2011)
📌 Note: A JPC is different from a Joint Committee on a Bill. A JPC is set up to investigate specific matters of public importance. A Joint Committee on a Bill examines a specific bill referred to it by both Houses.
8. Key Points for Exam
🔑 Must-Remember Facts
- Standing committees = permanent; Ad hoc committees = temporary
- PAC established in 1921; 22 members (15 LS + 7 RS); chaired by Opposition
- PAC examines CAG audit reports — post-mortem committee
- Estimates Committee established in 1950; 30 members — all from Lok Sabha
- Estimates Committee = largest parliamentary committee
- Estimates Committee chaired by ruling party member
- COPU established in 1964; 22 members; examines PSU reports
- Business Advisory Committee and Rules Committee chaired by Speaker/Chairman
- DRSCs = 24 committees covering all ministries
- JPC = ad hoc committee; set up for specific investigation
- Privileges Committee protects parliamentary privileges
- Committee on Subordinate Legislation scrutinizes delegated legislation