Considering a potential alteration to current regulations, the Rajya Sabha Secretariat may extend from one to two years the tenure of the Departmentally-Related Standing Committees (DRSC). This change would provide DRSC panels with more time to work on chosen topics.
The Reason for Proposed Extension
On 11th September 2020, the tenure of all Parliament’s DRSCs will end. They cannot proceed with deliberations until new panels are convened. The Covid-19 pandemic consumed a significant portion of their tenure, preventing several panels from completing their reports on respective subjects. For instance, the Information Technology panel has yet to finalize discussions on “Safeguarding citizens’ rights and prevention of misuse of social/online news media platforms including special emphasis on women security in the digital space,” a topic that recently led them to summon Facebook representatives.
Options Under Consideration
The Secretariat is deliberating two possible solutions: extending the existing panels’ term by a year or constituting new committees with a fixed two-year tenure.
Historical Recap: The Formation of DRSCs
Following the recommendation of the Lok Sabha’s Rules Committee in 1993, 17 DRSCs were established in the Parliament. An additional seven committees were formed in 2004, raising the total tally of standing committees from 17 to 24.
Composition of DRSCs
Of these 24 committees, eight operate under the Rajya Sabha, while 16 operate under the Lok Sabha. Each standing committee is made up of 31 members, 21 from the Lok Sabha and 10 from the Rajya Sabha. The Speaker nominates Lok Sabha members, while the Chairman nominates Rajya Sabha members from among its ranks. None of these committees include ministers, either initially or if a member becomes a minister post-nomination.
Current DRSC Tenure
The standing committee’s term currently lasts one year from the time of its formation.
The Role of DRSCs
DRSCs aim to improve Executive accountability to Parliament. They help Parliament with control over administration and oversight of the Executive. These committees assist Parliament in carrying out its responsibilities effectively, rapidly, and efficiently by providing detailed and systematic evaluation of issues that cannot undergo lengthy debates on the floor. They also provide expertise on matters referred to them.
New Draft Guidelines Under Review
The Rajya Sabha secretariat recently prepared draft guidelines for its standing committees, which remain under review by the Lok Sabha Speaker. Under consideration are criteria including a minimum 15-days advance notice for meetings, one-third of membership conformation before convening a meeting, nomination of members based on their qualifications, skills, and professions, and a requirement of at least 50% attendance during evidence collection and report adoption.
Understanding Parliamentary Committees
The Indian Constitution mentions these committees but does not provide specific details regarding their composition, tenure, functions, and so forth. There are two types of parliamentary committees: Standing Committees and Ad Hoc Committees. Standing Committees are permanent and work continuously. These include financial committees, departmental standing committees, committees to inquire, scrutinize and control, committees related to the day-to-day business of the House, and housekeeping or service committees. In contrast, Ad Hoc Committees are temporary, ceasing upon completion of the task assigned. Examples of Ad Hoc Committees include the Joint Committee on Bofors Contract and Joint Committee on Fertilizer Pricing.
The Way Forward
Over time, the number of Parliament sittings has decreased. Whereas in the 1950s there were 100-150 sittings per year, that number dropped to 60-70 sittings in 2019-2020. Consequently, DRSCs now complete a considerable portion of parliamentary work. Extending the tenure of these committees could promote task completion and thorough deliberations. However, other parliamentary reforms are also necessary. One notable issue is that Parliament tends to pass most bills via voice vote, with little debate or committee referral. This was the case for the RTI Amendment Act (2019) and UAPA Amendment Act (2019), both of which have significant implications for civil liberties. Clearly, the way forward includes multiple needed improvements.
Last Modified: February 9, 2024