Sanskriti TrivedyAIR 17 · CSE 2024 · 357 wordsTheir whole copy
Opening · a definition
Parliamentary committees are special bodies that are formed through Rules of respective houses and actualise 'deliberation' in a democracy (eg Public A/c Committee)
[Executive Accountability is seen through such committees as:]
Body · points and prose
Financial Committees like PACs, Estimates and DRSCs ensure effective utilisation of public purse
Aid to other bodies like CAG in doing their audits
Open scope for greater deliberation on issues of importance (eg) Joint committee on Waqf Bill 2024
To check excess by parliamentarian → ethics committee, privilege committee
As committees are also seeking expert advice → better policy
Committees seek accountability of promised practices (eg) committee on assurances
[But concerns raised] → [lack of meeting in 16th Lok Sabha]
[Post mortem analysis] → [PAC of CAG]
[Non binding ruling] → [just 24% bills]
Thus we can look at USA's strong committee system to act as check of executive excess and strengthen our committee architecture
- Judiciary seeks the proper functioning of the democratic systems
Key differences in Electoral practices :-
Close · a way forward
| USA | India |
|---|---|
| 1. 2 tiered governance and electoral system | 1. India has 3 tiered systems as Panchayats, Municipalities |
| 2. The election of president is by an elaborate process (Direct) → primaries → electoral college → presidential election | 2. The election of president is indirect by state and central level legislatures |
| 3. No separate body for elections | 3. Seperate Election Commission of India exist |
| 4. Allows for postal, online votes | 4. Postal votes are allowed only in few situations (e.g) armed forces |
| USA | India |
|---|---|
| 5 governor at each state is directly elected | 5 governor at each state appointed by centre |
| 6 winner takes all follows | 6 there winner takes all doesn't follow |
| 7 electoral petition not in judiciary | 7 HC entertain electoral petition |
However similarities → election campaign
[5 elaborate]
[fondational pillars of democracies]
Thus both contries have enough to learn from each other and act as role models for democratic deepening.