Indian Polity — Parliamentary Committees
1. Introduction
- The Constitution of India makes a mention of these committees at different places, but without making any specific provisions regarding their composition, tenure, functions, etc.
- A parliamentary committee means a committee that is:
- Appointed or elected by the House or nominated by the Speaker/Chairman
- Works under the direction of the Speaker/Chairman
- Presents its report to the House or to the Speaker/Chairman
- Has a secretariat provided by the Lok Sabha/Rajya Sabha
KNOWLEDGE NUGGET
- Parliamentary Committee: Appointed/elected by House or nominated by Speaker/Chairman
- Works under: Direction of Speaker/Chairman
- Reports to: House or Speaker/Chairman
- Secretariat: Provided by Lok Sabha/Rajya Sabha
2. Financial Committees
Public Accounts Committee (PAC)
- Formed in: This committee was set up first in 1921 under the provisions of the Government of India Act of 1919.
- Key Function: They examine the annual reports of the Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG).
- Composition: They consist of 22 members — 15 from Lok Sabha and 7 from Rajya Sabha. They are elected by the two Houses.
- Other Details:
- The Chairman is appointed by the Speaker from the opposition party.
- A minister cannot be elected as a member.
PAC — KEY FACTS
- Established: 1921 (Government of India Act, 1919)
- Members: 22 (15 LS + 7 RS)
- Chairman: From Opposition party (appointed by Speaker)
- Function: Examines CAG reports
- Minister: Cannot be a member
- CAG: "Friend, Philosopher, and Guide" of PAC
Estimates Committee
- Formed in: The origin of this committee can be traced to the standing financial committee set up in 1921. The first Estimates Committee in the post-independence era was constituted in 1950 on the recommendation of John Mathai, the then Finance Minister.
- Key Function: It works to check annual budget estimates to report the efficiency of the existing economic policies.
- Composition: It consists of 30 members, all from the Lok Sabha, elected for one year. The Rajya Sabha has no representation in this committee.
- Other Details:
- The Chairman of the committee is appointed by the Speaker from amongst its members and he is invariably from the ruling party.
- A minister cannot be elected as a member.
ESTIMATES COMMITTEE — KEY FACTS
- Established: 1950 (recommended by John Mathai)
- Members: 30 (all from Lok Sabha)
- Chairman: From ruling party (appointed by Speaker)
- Function: Examines annual budget estimates
- Largest Committee: Largest parliamentary committee
- Minister: Cannot be a member
Committee on Public Undertakings
- Formed in: This committee was created in 1964 on the recommendation of the Krishna Menon Committee.
- Key Function: The works of this committee are to check reports of the Public Undertakings. Also, they analyze the reports of the CAG on public undertakings.
- Composition: They consist of 22 members — 15 from Lok Sabha and 7 from Rajya Sabha. The two Houses elect them for one year.
- Other Details:
- The Chairman of the committee is appointed by the Speaker from amongst its members.
- A minister cannot be elected as a member.
COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC UNDERTAKINGS — KEY FACTS
- Established: 1964 (recommended by Krishna Menon Committee)
- Members: 22 (15 LS + 7 RS)
- Function: Examines reports of Public Undertakings and CAG reports on them
- Minister: Cannot be a member
- Term: 1 year
3. Comparison: Financial Committees
| Feature | Public Accounts Committee | Estimates Committee | Committee on Public Undertakings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Established | 1921 (GOI Act, 1919) | 1950 (John Mathai recommendation) | 1964 (Krishna Menon Committee) |
| Total Members | 22 | 30 | 22 |
| Lok Sabha Members | 15 | 30 | 15 |
| Rajya Sabha Members | 7 | 0 (no representation) | 7 |
| Chairman | From Opposition party | From Ruling party | Appointed by Speaker |
| Key Function | Examines CAG reports | Examines budget estimates | Examines public undertakings |
| Minister | Cannot be a member of any of these committees | ||
KEY POINTS
- PAC: CAG is the "Friend, Philosopher, and Guide" of the Public Accounts Committee.
- Estimates Committee: Largest parliamentary committee (30 members).
- Committee on Public Undertakings: Created on recommendation of Krishna Menon Committee.
- Ministers: Cannot be members of any financial committee.
4. Summary: Parliamentary Committees at a Glance
| Committee | Established | Members | Key Function | Chairman |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Public Accounts Committee | 1921 | 22 (15 LS + 7 RS) | Examines CAG reports | Opposition |
| Estimates Committee | 1950 | 30 (all LS) | Examines budget estimates | Ruling party |
| Committee on Public Undertakings | 1964 | 22 (15 LS + 7 RS) | Examines public undertakings | Appointed by Speaker |
Key Takeaways for UPSC
- Parliamentary Committee: Appointed/elected by House or nominated by Speaker/Chairman
- PAC: 1921 — 22 members (15 LS + 7 RS) — Chairman from Opposition — Examines CAG reports
- Estimates Committee: 1950 — 30 members (all LS) — Largest committee — Chairman from Ruling party — Examines budget estimates
- Committee on Public Undertakings: 1964 — 22 members (15 LS + 7 RS) — Krishna Menon Committee recommendation — Examines public undertakings
- Ministers: Cannot be members of any financial committee
- CAG: "Friend, Philosopher, and Guide" of PAC
- John Mathai: Recommended the establishment of Estimates Committee (1950)
High-Yield Interactive UPSC Quiz (Parliamentary Committees)
Q1. The Public Accounts Committee was set up in which year?
Correct Answer: B. The Public Accounts Committee was set up first in 1921 under the provisions of the Government of India Act of 1919.
Q2. How many members does the Public Accounts Committee have?
Correct Answer: C. The Public Accounts Committee consists of 22 members — 15 from Lok Sabha and 7 from Rajya Sabha.
Q3. The Chairman of the Public Accounts Committee is appointed from:
Correct Answer: B. The Chairman of the Public Accounts Committee is appointed by the Speaker from the opposition party.
Q4. The Estimates Committee consists of how many members?
Correct Answer: C. The Estimates Committee consists of 30 members, all from the Lok Sabha. The Rajya Sabha has no representation in this committee.
Q5. The first Estimates Committee in post-independence India was constituted on the recommendation of:
Correct Answer: B. The first Estimates Committee in the post-independence era was constituted in 1950 on the recommendation of John Mathai, the then Finance Minister.
Q6. The Committee on Public Undertakings was created on the recommendation of:
Correct Answer: C. The Committee on Public Undertakings was created in 1964 on the recommendation of the Krishna Menon Committee.
Q7. Which committee has the largest number of members?
Correct Answer: B. The Estimates Committee is the largest parliamentary committee with 30 members, all from the Lok Sabha.
Q8. The Chairman of the Estimates Committee is appointed by:
Correct Answer: B. The Chairman of the Estimates Committee is appointed by the Speaker of the Lok Sabha from amongst its members.
Q9. Which of the following committees has representation from the Rajya Sabha?
Correct Answer: B. The Public Accounts Committee has representation from both Houses (15 LS + 7 RS). The Estimates Committee has only Lok Sabha members (30).
Q10. Who is referred to as the "Friend, Philosopher, and Guide" of the Public Accounts Committee?
Correct Answer: C. The Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) is referred to as the "Friend, Philosopher, and Guide" of the Public Accounts Committee.