Committee Governing Department Operations
The role of Parliamentary committees in India, once a cornerstone of democratic accountability, is facing a significant decline, as highlighted by several key factors.
Limitations and Challenges Facing Parliamentary Committees
The diminishing trend of Parliamentary committees is due to several interconnected reasons. One of the primary issues is the limited participation of Members of Parliament (MPs) in committee meetings, with less than half attending during certain periods, weakening committee effectiveness [1].
Resource constraints, such as insufficient research support and specialist advisors, also limit the depth and quality of scrutiny committees can conduct [1]. Committees often face pressure from governments or party leaders, undermining impartiality and objective functioning [1].
Moreover, committees lack the power to enforce recommendations or discipline non-compliance, reducing their real impact [1]. The reduced sitting days of Parliament limit opportunities for committee work and detailed legislative scrutiny [1]. Procedural mechanisms like Money Bills are used to bypass thorough debate and committee review, concentrating law-making power and undercutting oversight [3].
The Impact on Democratic Legitimacy
The consequences of this decline for the legitimacy of Parliamentary democracy include a weakened system of checks and balances, erosion of detailed scrutiny in law-making, undermining of democratic transparency and inclusivity, potential loss of public trust in legislative institutions, and a threat to core democratic principles such as accountability, transparency, and participatory governance [1][3].
This decline in committee vitality directly impacts the legitimacy and functioning of Parliamentary democracy in India, as committees are vital for detailed, non-partisan oversight and represent a link between members of Parliament and the administrative apparatus [1].
Key Observations and Recommendations
Open discussions are not allowed by ruling party members in certain cases, such as the Pegasus case. There is no independent secretariat with specialized support like in the UK and US. The poor attendance of members is common, with attendance below 50%. Bills are passed without much discussion in 35% of cases within 30 minutes. Referring bills to committees should be a mandatory practice [2].
A longer tenure for committee members is recommended to ensure continuity and depth of scrutiny. The committees consider national basic long-term policy documents presented to the Houses. A notion exists that bills should be passed without debate to tackle policy paralysis and promote ease of doing business, but this undermines the importance of thorough discussion and debate in the legislative process [2].
The committees examine bills pertaining to the concerned ministries/departments. The presence of these committees has reduced the gap between the legislature and the executive, helping keep administrators on their toes [2]. Recommendations made by committees are advisory in nature, but they play a crucial role in shaping policy and holding the Executive accountable [2].
In conclusion, the decline in the role and effectiveness of Parliamentary committees in India poses a significant threat to the legitimacy and functioning of Parliamentary democracy. Efforts should be made to address the challenges facing these committees, including resource constraints, lack of independence, and limited powers, to ensure they can continue to serve as a vital link between the legislature and the executive, and uphold the principles of accountability, transparency, and participatory governance.
[1] Centre for Policy Research (CPR) Report, 2020. [2] Parliamentary Standing Committee Report, 2018. [3] PRS Legislative Research, 2021.
- The decline in the role of Parliamentary committees in India, as highlighted by several key factors, is not only affecting the quality of policy-and-legislation but also raising concerns about the health of the democratic system, as these committees play a crucial role in ensuring transparency, accountability, and participatory governance.
- The current state of parliamentary committees in India, with their limited powers, insufficient resources, and susceptibility to political influence, is causing a shift in the political landscape, moving away from traditionally strong policy-and-legislation processes and general-news reporting towards more unbalanced and ineffective governance structures.
