Kumud MishraAIR 69 · CSE 2024 · 239 wordsTheir whole copy
Opening · a constitutional or legal provision
The Parliamentary committees derive their legitimacy from Article 105 and 118 of the Constitution helping in the scrutiny of the bills.
Body · points
Role of Parliamentary committees
(1) Enhance accountability of the government making it more responsive.
(2) Check the 'hasty decisions' and provide in-depth scrutiny.
(3) Provide effective recommendations for the bills. Ex. The recommendation on Data Protection Bill.
(4) Help in ensuring enhanced transparency in the functioning of the executive. Ex. The joint parliamentary committees.
(5) Ensure "fiscal prudence" and fiscal discipline. Ex. The PAC acting as guide, friend, philosopher of the CAG.
Contemporary evaluation of their functioning:
(1) Their role has declined with declined scrutiny. Ex. 71% bills went to committees in 15th Lok Sabha while only 24% went to them during 16th Lok Sabha from 2014-19.
(2) The continuous disruption of Parliament is also affecting their functioning.
(3) Decline of Parliament like the sittings of the house also impacted their role.
(4) The frequent ordinance route taken by the executive (100+ ordinances in last 20 years) has diminished their role.
(5) The lack of parliamentary scrutiny is adding further to the conflicts between the government and the opposition.
(6) However, they have been successful in promoting democratic spirit. Ex. they asked for revamping social sector initiatives (PM-ABJAY, ONORC, Jal Jeevan mission).
Close · a quotation
Thus, Woodrow Wilson believed that "the Congress in session is one at public exhibition, while in the committee rooms it is at real work".
1 more topper’s answer to this question, part by part, and how they all approached it: open the question.