Parliamentary Committees (Indian Polity and Governance)

Total Questions: 33

21. Estimates Committee is constituted from the members of- [U.P.P.C.S. (Mains) 2010]

Correct Answer: (c) The Lok Sabha
Solution:The Estimates Committee constituted for the first time in 1950, is a Parliamentary committee consisting 30 members, elected every year by the Lok Sabha from among its members and no member of the Rajya Sabha is included in this committee. While the Committee on Public Accounts and the Committee on Public Undertakings consists of 22 members comprising 15 members elected by Lok Sabha every year and 7 members of Rajya Sabha.

Note: The Estimate committee is the largest committee of the Indian Parliament among the given options.

22. Which of the following are Financial Committees of Indian Parliament- [R.A.S/R.T.S (Pre) 2018]

(A) Estimates Committee

(B) Public Accounts Committee

(C) Committee on Public Undertakings

(D) Joint Committee on Salaries and Allowance for Members of Parliament

Select the correct answer using code given below:

Correct Answer: (c) (A), (B) and (C)
Solution:Financial Committee is one of the six classifications of standing Committee. Financial Committee is of 3 types (a) Public Account Committee (b) Estimate Committee (c) Committee on Public Undertakings Joint Committee on salaries and Allowances of Members is one of the Committee's of House Keeping Committee.

Estimates Committee

  • It analyses the government's planned expenditure projections in the budget and suggests 'economies' in public spending.
  • The Committee on Estimates has 30 members. The members are all drawn from the Lok Sabha (Lower House).
  • This means that the Rajya Sabha is not represented (Upper House.)
  • The committee had 25 members at first, but that number was eventually increased to 30.
  • The term of the Committee is one year.
  • This Committee does not allow ministers to be elected.
  • The Committee looks into matters of special interest that arise or are brought to its attention during the course of its work, or that are specifically referred to it by the House or the Speaker.

23. Which of the following is the Financial Committees of Parliament in India? [U.P.P.C.S. (Mains) 2007]

1. Public Account Committee.

2. Estimates Committee.

3. Committee on Public Undertakings

Select the correct answer from the codes given below:

Correct Answer: (d) 1,2 and 3
Solution:The Public Accounts Committee, Estimates Committee, and Public Undertakings Committee are the financial committees of the Indian Parliament.

Estimates Committee

  • It analyses the government's planned expenditure projections in the budget and suggests 'economies' in public spending.
  • The Committee on Estimates has 30 members. The members are all drawn from the Lok Sabha (Lower House).
  • This means that the Rajya Sabha is not represented (Upper House.)
  • The committee had 25 members at first, but that number was eventually increased to 30.
  • The term of the Committee is one year.
  • This Committee does not allow ministers to be elected.
  • The Committee looks into matters of special interest that arise or are brought to its attention during the course of its work, or that are specifically referred to it by the House or the Speaker.

24. Which one of the following is not a Standing Committee of Parliament? [U.P.P.C.S. (Mains) 2015]

Correct Answer: (e) None of the above
Solution:The Parliamentary Committees are of two types: (1) Standing (2) Ad-hoc. Despite these two prominent category of committees, there are several other committees of Parliament. The three main Standing Committees are: (i) Estimates Committee (ii) Public Accounts Committee (iii) Committee on Public Undertakings. In 1993, on the recommendation of the Rules Committee of the Lok Sabha, 17 departments related to Standing Committees were set up and in 2004 their number was increased from 17 to 24. Committee on Welfare of SC's and ST's is one of the departmental Standing Committee. Thus no given answer is correct.

25. On which of the following, a Parliamentary Committee has not been set up? [U.P.P.C.S. (Mains) 2012]

Correct Answer: (d) Welfare of Minorities
Solution:The Public Undertakings Committee of the Parliament examines the report of the Comptroller and Auditor General (if any) in the context of the public sector enterprises and also it examines the efficiency of management and handling of public sector enterprises. Committee on Government Assurances of each House monitors assurances, promises made by Ministers and resolution until they are implemented in their tracks. Estimates Committee of the Parliament monitors the examination of estimates, austerity and the expenditure of funds. No Parliamentary committee has been set up for the welfare of minorities instead of the Minority Commission has been set up.

26. The audit report of the Comptroller and Auditor General of India is examined by- [U.P.P.C.S. (Pre) 2022]

Correct Answer: (e) (a) & (c)
Solution:The audit report of the Comptroller and Auditor General of India is examined by public account committees. Despite that the committee on public undertakings also examines reports of the Comptroller and Auditor General of India. Thus option (a) and (c) is both correct.

Estimates Committee

  • It analyses the government's planned expenditure projections in the budget and suggests 'economies' in public spending.
  • The Committee on Estimates has 30 members. The members are all drawn from the Lok Sabha (Lower House).
  • This means that the Rajya Sabha is not represented (Upper House.)
  • The committee had 25 members at first, but that number was eventually increased to 30.
  • The term of the Committee is one year.
  • This Committee does not allow ministers to be elected.
  • The Committee looks into matters of special interest that arise or are brought to its attention during the course of its work, or that are specifically referred to it by the House or the Speaker.

27. Which of the following Committees does not come under the jurisdiction of Lok Sabha? [Chhattisgarh P.C.S. (Pre) 2021]

Correct Answer: (d) Committee on Health and Family Welfare
Solution:The committee on social justice and Empowerment, Committee on Urban Development and Committee on Labour come under the jurisdiction of the Lok Sabha and committee on health and family welfare come under the Jurisdiction of Rajya Sabha.

Parliamentary committee is a committee of Members of Parliament (MPs) who are elected or appointed from amongst the members of the house or nominated by the Speaker or Chairman. The concept of Parliamentary committees originated in the British Parliament. These committees operate under the direction of the Speaker of Lok Sabha or Chairman of Rajya Sabha and present their findings and recommendations to the respective houses.
The Parliamentary committees draw their authority from the constitution.
Article 105: Powers, privileges, etc., of the houses of Parliament and of the members and committees thereof.
Article 118: Each House of Parliament may make rules for regulations, subject to the provisions of this constitution, its procedure and the conduct of its business.

28. The Consultative Committee of Members of Parliament for Railway Zones is constituted by which of the following? [M.P.P.C.S. (Pre) 2012, I.A.S. (Pre) 2005]

Correct Answer: (c) Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs
Solution:The Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs constitutes Consultative Committees for Railway Zones. MP's from the respective zones are elected as members.

Parliamentary committee is a committee of Members of Parliament (MPs) who are elected or appointed from amongst the members of the house or nominated by the Speaker or Chairman. The concept of Parliamentary committees originated in the British Parliament. These committees operate under the direction of the Speaker of Lok Sabha or Chairman of Rajya Sabha and present their findings and recommendations to the respective houses.
The Parliamentary committees draw their authority from the constitution.
Article 105: Powers, privileges, etc., of the houses of Parliament and of the members and committees thereof.
Article 118: Each House of Parliament may make rules for regulations, subject to the provisions of this constitution, its procedure and the conduct of its business.

29. The Joint Parliamentary Committee set up for probing the 2G spectrum issue, consists of- [U.P.P.C.S. (Mains) 2010]

Correct Answer: (b) 20 members from Lok Sabha and 10 from Rajya Sabha.
Solution:For probing 2G spectrum scam, the proposal for Joint Parliamentary Committee was passed on 24 February, 2011 by Lok Sabha and on March 1, 2011 by Rajya Sabha. 30 members of Parliament were included in the Joint Parliamentary Committee of which 20 members were from Lok Sabha and 10 members from Rajya Sabha.
  • The JPC is an ad-hoc Committee, established by the Parliament to conduct a thorough examination of a specific subject or Bill.
  • It consists of members from both Houses as well as from the ruling and opposition parties and is chaired by a member of the Lok Sabha (appointed by Speaker of the Lok Sabha).
  • The Parliament determines the composition of the JPC, and there is no set limit on the number of members.
  • The committee is dissolved after completing its term or task.
  • The committee's recommendations are advisory and not mandatory for the government to follow.
  • However, suggestions by the Select Committees and JPCs - which have a majority of MPs and heads from the ruling party are accepted more frequently.
  • The JPC has the authority to gather evidence from experts, public bodies, associations, individuals, or interested parties either on its own initiative or in response to their requests.

30. The Joint Parliamentary Committee examining the 2G Scam is headed by- [U.P.P.C.S. (Mains) 2010, R.A.S./R.T.S.(Pre) 2012]

Correct Answer: (b) P.C. Chacko
Solution:For examining 2G spectrum scam, P.C. Chacko was made the chairman of the Joint Parliamentary Committee, who submitted his report to the then Speaker of Lok Sabha Meira Kumar.
  • The JPC is an ad-hoc Committee, established by the Parliament to conduct a thorough examination of a specific subject or Bill.
  • It consists of members from both Houses as well as from the ruling and opposition parties and is chaired by a member of the Lok Sabha (appointed by Speaker of the Lok Sabha).
  • The Parliament determines the composition of the JPC, and there is no set limit on the number of members.
  • The committee is dissolved after completing its term or task.
  • The committee's recommendations are advisory and not mandatory for the government to follow.
  • However, suggestions by the Select Committees and JPCs - which have a majority of MPs and heads from the ruling party are accepted more frequently.
  • The JPC has the authority to gather evidence from experts, public bodies, associations, individuals, or interested parties either on its own initiative or in response to their requests.