A Unity of Purpose

The Indian Express     3rd September 2020     Save    

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.