Parliamentary Committees

Question 1

Public Accounts Committee

Answer 1

• Type: Financial Standing
• Function: Examines CAG reports and ensures accountability of the executive to Parliament
• Membership: LS+RS
• Chair: appointed by LS Speaker

Question 2

Estimates Committee

Answer 2

• Type: Financial Standing
• Function: Suggests alternative policies for economic efficiency and improvements in public expenditure.
• Members: only LS
• Chair: appointed by Speaker

Question 3

Committee on Public Undertakings

Answer 3

• Type: Financial Standing
• Function: Evaluates performance of Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs)
• Members: LS+RS
• Chair: appointed by LS speaker

Question 4

Departmentally Related Standing Committees (DRSCs)

Answer 4

Type: standing (Total 24)
Function: Scrutinize demands for grants, examine bills and policies of ministries
Members: LS+RS

Question 5

Business Advisory Committee

Answer 5

• Type: Procedural
• Function: Allocates time for discussion of various bills and motions.
• Chairperson: Speaker (Lok Sabha) or Vice President (Rajya Sabha)

Question 6

Committee on Privileges

Answer 6

• Function: Considers questions of breach of parliamentary privilege.
• Membership: Members nominated by Speaker (Lok Sabha) or Chairman (Rajya Sabha)

Question 7

Ethics Committee

Answer 7

Function: Examines complaints relating to the conduct of MPs.
Membership: 15 Members nominated by Speaker in LS, 10 members in RS
Note: context of cash-for-query scams and disciplinary cases.

Question 8

Committee on Subordinate Legislation

Answer 8

Standing (Scrutiny and Control)
Examines whether rules and regulations made by the executive under delegated legislation are within the authority of the enabling Act

Question 9

Joint Parliamentary Committees (JPCs)

Answer 9

• Type: Ad-hoc Committee
• Constituted for: Specific purposes like scams, controversies, etc.
• Notable Examples: 2G Spectrum Scam and Bofors scam
• Membership: Decided by motion passed in one House and agreed by the other