Parliamentary Committees are subsets of the legislature established to handle specific functions in detail, ensuring efficiency, expertise, and accountability in the parliamentary process. They form an essential part of India’s deliberative democracy.

Structure of Parliamentary Committee System

1. Based on Appointment:

   • Standing Committees: Permanent committees are constituted annually (like Public Accounts Committee and Estimates Committee).
   • Ad hoc Committees: Temporary committees formed for specific purposes (like Select Committees on Bills).

2. Based on Functions:

   • Financial Committees: Scrutinize government expenditure and financial administration (like Estimates Committee)
   • Departmentally Related Standing Committees (DRSCs): Currently 24 DRSCs with 31 members each examine ministry-specific matters.
   • House-Keeping Committees: Handles internal affairs of Parliament (like Rules Committee).
   • Inquiry Committees: Investigates specific issues (like Committee on Privileges).

3. Based on Membership:

   • Joint Committees: Members from both houses (e.g., Joint Committee on Offices of Profit).
   • House-Specific Committees: Members from either Lok Sabha or Rajya Sabha.

Role of Financial Committees in Parliamentary Institutionalization

1. Enhanced Financial Oversight:

   • The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) examines CAG reports, ensuring accountability in public spending.
   • Estimates Committee suggests alternative policies to bring efficiency in administration.
   • Example: The 2020-21 CAG report on Defence Services was flagged by the PAC for lapses in procurement and inventory management.

2. Strengthened Parliamentary Control:

   • Regular scrutiny of government expenditure through systematic examination.
   • Recommendations for improving financial administration and preventing wasteful expenditure.
   • Example: COPU’s 2023 review of BSNL and MTNL highlighted operational inefficiencies and suggested a revival roadmap.

3. Technical Expertise:

   • Committees provide specialized forums for detailed examination of complex financial matters.
   • Enable parliamentarians to develop expertise in specific areas of governance.
   • Example: Several MPs like Murli Manohar Joshi (PAC Chairperson) and N.K. Premachandran became known for their deep budgetary scrutiny.

4. Bipartisan Functioning:

   • Foster consensus-building across party lines on financial matters.
   • Promote collaborative approach in parliamentary functioning.

5. Contributing to Transparency and Citizen Trust: Publication of committee reports and minutes enhances transparency.

   • PAC reports on delays in infrastructure projects (roads, railways) have prompted public interest litigation and citizen awareness.

Financial committees have strengthened India’s parliamentary sovereignty by enhancing oversight over the executive and public expenditure. However, delays in report discussions and lack of binding powers dilute their impact. Institutionalisation can be furthered by strengthening research support and ensuring timely government action on their recommendations.