Introduction
India's Parliamentary system, modeled on the Westminster style of democracy, has evolved to include a robust committee system designed to facilitate thorough legislative scrutiny. These committees—both standing and ad hoc—are responsible for examining bills, budgets, and administrative issues in detail, which is not always feasible in the larger, more politicised settings of the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha.
However, despite their critical importance, there has been a steady decline in the relevance and effectiveness of these committees. Key issues include underutilisation, inadequate research support, infrequent meetings, and lack of follow-up on recommendations. This blog explores the structural and functional reforms needed to revitalise this essential pillar of India’s parliamentary democracy.
Detailed Body
Importance of Parliamentary Committees
Parliamentary committees serve as miniature legislatures. They provide:
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A forum for non-partisan debate.
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Space for detailed scrutiny of bills and policies.
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A platform for subject-matter expert consultations.
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Recommendations that often lead to policy improvements.
They enable MPs to engage in legislative business beyond the often polarised parliamentary floor and allow subject-based oversight, especially in technical areas such as finance, defence, science, and infrastructure.
Current Structure of Committees
There are three major types of committees:
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Standing Committees – Permanent bodies like the Public Accounts Committee (PAC), Estimates Committee, etc.
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Department-related Standing Committees (DRSCs) – 24 committees that examine demands for grants and bills related to specific ministries.
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Ad Hoc Committees – Set up for specific tasks like the Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) on 2G Spectrum.
Each committee consists of members from different political parties, usually reflecting the proportion of seats in the two Houses.
Key Challenges in the Present System
1. Lack of Time and Depth in Deliberation
Many bills are passed in Parliament without being referred to committees. For example, in the 17th Lok Sabha, less than 25% of bills were referred to committees. This compromises legislative quality.
2. Political Interference
Despite being meant as non-partisan bodies, committees increasingly reflect party loyalties, which dilutes their independence.
3. Poor Implementation of Recommendations
A majority of committee recommendations are not acted upon by ministries, making the committees toothless.
4. Lack of Transparency
Committee proceedings are not open to the public or media, raising questions about democratic oversight.
5. Inadequate Research Support
Members lack access to trained staff or domain experts, which hampers quality deliberation and evidence-based recommendations.
Need for Reforms
a. Mandatory Referral of Bills
All bills, unless urgently required, should mandatorily go through relevant committees. This would improve the quality of legislation.
b. Strengthening Research Capacities
Each committee should have access to dedicated subject experts and researchers, similar to the Congressional Research Service in the U.S.
c. Public Access and Transparency
While confidentiality may be required for sensitive issues, most discussions and reports should be made public to foster citizen engagement and trust.
d. Digitisation of Proceedings
Digital recording, cloud storage, and real-time dashboards could modernise functioning and improve efficiency.
e. Accountability Mechanism
Ministries should be required to respond within a fixed timeframe to committee recommendations. A follow-up tracker should be made public.
f. Training and Orientation for MPs
New members should undergo orientation programs to understand the committee system better and contribute meaningfully.
g. Use of Technology and AI Tools
Committees can benefit from AI-powered analysis of policy proposals, social impact simulations, and stakeholder sentiment mapping.
Conclusion
The Parliamentary Committee system, if properly empowered and reformed, has the potential to be the cornerstone of India’s legislative and oversight architecture. As Parliament grapples with complex issues ranging from digital governance to climate change, detailed and impartial committee scrutiny becomes indispensable.
Strengthening this institution through structural, procedural, and technological reforms will enhance legislative accountability, reduce executive overreach, and uphold the spirit of cooperative federalism. More importantly, it will reaffirm citizens' trust in the democratic process. Reimagining and revitalising our committees is not just a governance imperative—it is essential for ensuring that India’s democracy remains participatory, inclusive, and robust.