The recent nomination of Farooq Abdullah and Pragya Thakur as members of the consultative committee for the Ministry of Defence has fueled the interest towards the functionality and formation of these committees in the Parliament of India. With 12 members from Lok Sabha and 9 from Rajya Sabha, these committees are chaired by the Defence Minister and play an integral role in the functioning of various ministries or departments of the Central Government.
Formation of Consultative Committees
Consultative committees are created by the Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs after a new Lok Sabha is constituted. Therefore, every dissolution of a Lok Sabha leads to the dissolution of these committees, only to be reconstituted upon the establishment of a new Lok Sabha.
Composition of Consultative Committees
The formation and functional guidelines of these committees also lie in the hands of the Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs. The Ministry arranges their meetings during the parliamentary sessions and intersession periods. Membership to these committees is open to individuals from both Houses of Parliament, however, joining remains a voluntary decision. Political leaders also have the authority to choose to become a part of these committees. The maximum membership capacity of a committee stands at 30, with a minimum requirement of 10 members.
| Maximum members | Minimum members |
|---|---|
| 30 | 10 |
Functions and Role of Consultative Committees
Each consultative committee is attached to specific ministries or departments of the Central Government. The respective Minister or Minister of State serves as the chairman of the committee linked to their ministry. These committees facilitate informal consultation sessions between ministers and Parliament members regarding government policies, programmes, and implementation methods.
However, it’s crucial to distinguish consultative committees from parliamentary committees. Despite sharing the name, the latter has certain exclusive features:
1. A parliamentary committee is appointed or elected by the House or nominated by the Speaker/Chairman.
2. It operates under the direction of the Speaker/Chairman.
3. The committee presents its reports to the House or the Speaker/Chairman.
4. It has a secretariat provided by the Lok Sabha or Rajya Sabha.
In contrast, consultative committees do not encompass these characteristics. They mainly serve as platforms for open dialogue between ministers and parliament members regarding government functions and policies. Thus, understanding the consultative committees’ role in the country’s governance is critical to comprehend how different government sectors operate and make decisions.
