Extension of Tenure of Standing Committees may be extended
Part of: GS Prelims and GS-II – Parliament
In news
The Rajya Sabha Secretariat is considering changing the rules governing the Departmentally-Related Standing Committees’ (DRSC) tenure to make it to two years from the present one year.
Objective: The panels should have enough time to work on the subjects selected by them. A significant amount of the tenure of the committees was lost due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Many of the panels have not been able to complete reports on the subjects they were working on.
Options that are being considered
To extend the term of the panels for a year.
To form new committees with a fixed tenure of two years.
Important value additions
Parliamentary Committees
The Constitution of India makes a mention of these committees at different places, but without making any specific provisions regarding their composition, tenure, functions, etc.
Two kinds of parliamentary committees — Standing Committees and Ad Hoc Committees.
Standing Committees: Permanent (constituted every year or periodically) and work on a continuous basis. Term: one year from the date of its constitution.
Ad Hoc Committees: Temporary and cease to exist on completion of the task assigned.
Role: (1) Through Committees, Parliament exercises its control and influence over administration and keeps vigilance over the executive; (2) They aid and assist the Legislature in discharging its duties; (3) They also provide the expertise on a matter which is referred to them.
