The effectiveness of parliamentary committees lies in their ability to operate beyond partisan politics. Analyse the role of Departmentally Related Standing Committees in legislative scrutiny. Evaluate the challenges limiting their 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. The effectiveness of parliamentary committees lies in their ability to operate beyond partisan politics. Analyse the role of Departmentally Related Standing Committees in legislative scrutiny. Evaluate the challenges limiting their effectiveness. (15 M)
Difficulty Level: Easy
Reference: InsightsIAS
Why the question Parliamentary committees are central to legislative oversight and executive accountability, and recent debates on declining referrals of Bills to committees have raised concerns about the weakening of scrutiny in Parliament. Key Demand of the question The question requires analysing how Departmentally Related Standing Committees contribute to legislative scrutiny and non-partisan deliberation in Parliament. It also requires evaluating the institutional and procedural challenges that limit their effectiveness in the legislative process. Structure of the Answer Introduction Briefly introduce parliamentary committee system and the DRSC mechanism introduced in 1993, highlighting its role in strengthening detailed scrutiny and informed lawmaking. Body Role in legislative scrutiny: Mention their function in enabling detailed examination of Bills, budget scrutiny and expert consultation beyond partisan debate in the House. Challenges limiting effectiveness: Indicate issues such as declining referral of Bills, advisory nature of recommendations, limited research support and time constraints affecting their impact. Conclusion Suggest that strengthening institutional capacity, mandatory referral of Bills and stronger follow-up mechanisms can enhance the role of committees in deepening parliamentary accountability.
Why the question
Parliamentary committees are central to legislative oversight and executive accountability, and recent debates on declining referrals of Bills to committees have raised concerns about the weakening of scrutiny in Parliament.
Key Demand of the question
The question requires analysing how Departmentally Related Standing Committees contribute to legislative scrutiny and non-partisan deliberation in Parliament. It also requires evaluating the institutional and procedural challenges that limit their effectiveness in the legislative process.
Structure of the Answer
Introduction
Briefly introduce parliamentary committee system and the DRSC mechanism introduced in 1993, highlighting its role in strengthening detailed scrutiny and informed lawmaking.
• Role in legislative scrutiny: Mention their function in enabling detailed examination of Bills, budget scrutiny and expert consultation beyond partisan debate in the House.
• Challenges limiting effectiveness: Indicate issues such as declining referral of Bills, advisory nature of recommendations, limited research support and time constraints affecting their impact.
Conclusion
Suggest that strengthening institutional capacity, mandatory referral of Bills and stronger follow-up mechanisms can enhance the role of committees in deepening parliamentary accountability.