Which of the following statements is/are correct regarding Parliamentary Committees? A. A minister cannot be a member of the Public Accounts Committee. B. The members of the Estimates Committee are nominated by the Speaker of the Lok Sabha. C. A minister can be a member of the Estimates Committee if he is nominated by the Speaker. D. A member of the Committee on Public Undertakings will have tenure of 2 years.
A only
Analysis of Parliamentary Committees Statements
Parliamentary Committees play a crucial role in the functioning of the Indian Parliament. They allow for detailed scrutiny of legislative and financial matters, keeping the executive accountable. Understanding the rules regarding their membership, tenure, and formation is essential.
Statement A Analysis: Ministers and Public Accounts Committee
Statement A says: "A minister cannot be a member of the Public Accounts Committee."
This statement is correct. The primary function of the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) is to examine the accounts showing the appropriation of sums granted by Parliament for the expenditure of the Government of India, the annual finance accounts, and other accounts laid before Parliament. To ensure impartiality and effective scrutiny of government expenditure, ministers are explicitly barred from being members of the Public Accounts Committee.
Statement B Analysis: Estimates Committee Membership
Statement B says: "The members of the Estimates Committee are nominated by the Speaker of the Lok Sabha."
This statement is incorrect. The Estimates Committee consists of 30 members, all of whom are from the Lok Sabha. These members are elected by the Lok Sabha from amongst its members every year by means of proportional representation by means of the single transferable vote. They are not nominated by the Speaker.
Statement C Analysis: Ministers and Estimates Committee
Statement C says: "A minister can be a member of the Estimates Committee if he is nominated by the Speaker."
This statement is incorrect for two reasons. Firstly, as explained for Statement A and the nature of financial scrutiny committees, a minister cannot be a member of the Estimates Committee. Secondly, as explained for Statement B, members of the Estimates Committee are elected, not nominated by the Speaker.
Statement D Analysis: Tenure of Committee on Public Undertakings
Statement D says: "A member of the Committee on Public Undertakings will have tenure of 2 years."
This statement is incorrect. The Committee on Public Undertakings examines the reports and accounts of public undertakings. It consists of 22 members (15 from Lok Sabha, 7 from Rajya Sabha). Members of this committee, like the Public Accounts Committee and Estimates Committee, are generally elected for a term of one year.
Summary of Statement Correctness
| Statement | Content | Correctness | Reason |
|---|---|---|---|
| A | Minister cannot be a member of PAC. | Correct | Ministers are excluded to ensure independent financial scrutiny. |
| B | Estimates Committee members nominated by Speaker. | Incorrect | Members are elected by Lok Sabha. |
| C | Minister can be a member of Estimates Committee if nominated by Speaker. | Incorrect | Ministers are excluded; members are elected. |
| D | Member of Committee on Public Undertakings has 2-year tenure. | Incorrect | Members typically have a 1-year tenure. |
Key Financial Parliamentary Committees Overview
Let's look at the three major financial Parliamentary Committees:
- Public Accounts Committee (PAC): Examines audit reports of the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG). Consists of 22 members (15 Lok Sabha, 7 Rajya Sabha). Members are elected for a 1-year term. A minister cannot be elected as a member.
- Estimates Committee: Examines the estimates included in the budget and suggests economies. Consists of 30 members, all from Lok Sabha. Members are elected for a 1-year term. A minister cannot be elected as a member.
- Committee on Public Undertakings: Examines the reports and accounts of public sector undertakings. Consists of 22 members (15 Lok Sabha, 7 Rajya Sabha). Members are elected for a 1-year term. A minister cannot be elected as a member.
Conclusion on Correct Statement
Based on the detailed analysis of each statement regarding Parliamentary Committees, only Statement A is found to be correct. Statements B, C, and D contain inaccuracies regarding the selection process, ministerial membership, or tenure of the mentioned committees.
Revision Table: Parliamentary Committees Overview
| Committee | Members | Source of Members | Tenure | Minister Eligibility | Primary Role |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Public Accounts Committee | 22 | 15 Lok Sabha, 7 Rajya Sabha | 1 Year | Not eligible | Examine CAG reports, government accounts |
| Estimates Committee | 30 | 30 Lok Sabha | 1 Year | Not eligible | Examine budget estimates, suggest economies |
| Committee on Public Undertakings | 22 | 15 Lok Sabha, 7 Rajya Sabha | 1 Year | Not eligible | Examine reports/accounts of PSUs |
Additional Information on Parliamentary Committees
Parliamentary Committees are broadly classified into Standing Committees and Ad Hoc Committees.
- Standing Committees: These are permanent committees constituted from time to time in pursuance of the provisions of an Act of Parliament or Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business. Examples include the financial committees discussed, as well as Departmentally Related Standing Committees.
- Ad Hoc Committees: These are temporary committees constituted for a specific purpose. They cease to exist after they complete their task and submit a report. Examples include Select Committees on Bills or Joint Committees on specific matters.
The committees play a vital role in scrutinizing legislation, finances, and the working of government departments, thereby assisting Parliament in discharging its duties effectively.
Similar Questions
VISHWAS, which is a major e-governance initiative launched by the government in January 2020, is the acronym for which of the following?
The 7 th pay commission has retained the rate of annual increment of _____.
The Malimath Committee Report deals with:
The Regional Rural Banks were established on the recommendations of the ______ on Rural Credit.
Which of the following commissions recommended the establishment of a Permanent Secretariat for the Inter-State Council to institutionalize Centre-State cooperation?
- Fill in the blanks:
The Sarkaria Commission (Centre-State Relations) was set up in the year ____.
Important Questions from Committees and Recommendation
Following the transfer of education to provincial ministries under the Montagu-Chelmsford Reforms of $1919$, which British government-appointed committee surveyed the quantitative expansion of education in India but also highlighted the decline in its qualitative standards, recommending a focus on consolidation rather than further expansion?
Rangarajan Committee was related to which of the following?
Which of the following committee deals with BCCI reforms?
Which of the following committee's recommendations led to the formation of NABARD?
In the 1980s, a commission was set up by the Government of India by the name of Sarkaria Commission. What was the scope of this commission?
