A Unity of Purpose

Context: An open confrontation between members and the chairman in the recent case of Information Technology Committee is in clear defiance of  the established parliamentary conventions.

Functioning of Parliamentary Committees

• Parliament functions through parliamentary committees. 
• Created  to scrutinise governmental activities and unearth the facts about an issue of public importance.
• Make directory and non-mandatory recommendations to the government which are nevertheless, considered of great importance.
• Non-Partisan Nature:
• Presence of the media is not allowed in the meetings of the committees.
• Minister cannot be a member of the committee and they are not allowed to appear as witnesses to give evidence before the committees. 

• Only the senior-most officer of the concerned department appears before committees

• Proceedings of committee are confidential and no one is permitted to make it public. 
• Rights of Chairman are not defined
• As per convention/internal working rules: names of the witness is approved by the chairman with modifications he desires. 
• At no time is it placed before the committee for its approval. 
• List of Witness is decided by Speaker: Rules of the House do not permit the list of witnesses to be approved by the committee.
• For E.g. First provision of Rule 270 of the Rules of Procedure: The decision related to relevance of witness lies with the Speaker and not on the vote of the committee.
• The selection of the witness can be challenged only on the basis of relevance.

Conclusion: Parliamentary committees must follow the sensible and healthy traditions and conventions, for strengthening the institution of Parliament.