Department-related Parliamentary Standing Committees are the backbone of legislative scrutiny. Explain their role in ensuring accountability. Analyse causes behind their declining effectiveness.
Kartavya Desk Staff
Topic: Parliament and State Legislatures – structure, functioning, conduct of business, powers & privileges and issues arising out of these
Topic: Parliament and State Legislatures – structure, functioning, conduct of business, powers & privileges and issues arising out of these
Q3. Department-related Parliamentary Standing Committees are the backbone of legislative scrutiny. Explain their role in ensuring accountability. Analyse causes behind their declining effectiveness. (15 M)
Difficulty Level: Easy
Reference: InsightsIAS
Why the question Because recent sessions showed major Bills being passed without committee scrutiny, raising concerns about weakening parliamentary oversight. Key demand of the question Explain how DRPSCs enable accountability in lawmaking and budget review, and analyse institutional, political, and procedural factors reducing their effectiveness, along with improvements. Structure of the Answer Introduction Introduce DRPSCs as permanent oversight bodies created in 1993 that enable Parliament to exercise informed scrutiny over the executive. Body Role in ensuring accountability: Mention legislative scrutiny, budget examination, policy review, expert consultations, and transparency. Causes of declining effectiveness: Mention reduced referral of Bills, executive dominance, weak research support, poor attendance, and non-binding recommendations. Way forward: Mention mandatory referral, stronger research units, structured follow-up, stable committee composition, and stakeholder engagement. Conclusion Reaffirm that strengthening DRPSCs is essential to protect deliberative democracy and ensure responsible governance.
Why the question Because recent sessions showed major Bills being passed without committee scrutiny, raising concerns about weakening parliamentary oversight.
Key demand of the question Explain how DRPSCs enable accountability in lawmaking and budget review, and analyse institutional, political, and procedural factors reducing their effectiveness, along with improvements.
Structure of the Answer
Introduction Introduce DRPSCs as permanent oversight bodies created in 1993 that enable Parliament to exercise informed scrutiny over the executive.
• Role in ensuring accountability: Mention legislative scrutiny, budget examination, policy review, expert consultations, and transparency.
• Causes of declining effectiveness: Mention reduced referral of Bills, executive dominance, weak research support, poor attendance, and non-binding recommendations.
• Way forward: Mention mandatory referral, stronger research units, structured follow-up, stable committee composition, and stakeholder engagement.
Conclusion Reaffirm that strengthening DRPSCs is essential to protect deliberative democracy and ensure responsible governance.