Recent Context:
A committee formed to oversee all statistical surveys by the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI) has been dissolved by the government amid apparent concerns raised by some members over the delay in conducting the census.
–The Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI) noted that the 14 Members committee is being dissolved as the terms of reference of the SCoS formed last year overlapped with the steering committee for National Sample Surveys as per National Statistical Commission recommendations.
What led to the Dissolution of the Committee?
1.The work done by the committee was similar to the work done by the recently formed Steering Committee for National Sample Surveys and thus, the committee was being dissolved.
2. India’s last census was conducted in 2011 and it has already overshot the stipulated timeline for the next round due in 2021.
About the Standing Committee on Statistics:
-On July 13, 2023, the government had constituted a 14 Member Standing Committee on Statistics (SCoS) headed by Pronab Sen.
-After renaming and expanding the scope of coverage of the Standing Committee on Economic Statistics (SCES) formed in December 2019.
-The committee’s mandate was to aid the Ministry in improving the methodologies for data collection and tabulation across national surveys.
Steering Committee for National Sample Surveys:
The committee is chaired by Rajeeva Laxman Karandikar, the Chairman of the National Statistical Commission (NSC).
The major task of this committee is to streamline and standardize the survey process, ensuring accuracy and consistency across surveys.
It replaces some of the roles previously held by the Standing Committee on Statistics (SCoS), with several SCoS members included in the new committee to avoid duplication of work.
About Parliamentary Committees:
-A Parliamentary Committee is a panel of MPs that is appointed or elected by the House or nominated by the Speaker/Chairman.
-The committee works under the direction of the Speaker/chairman and it presents its report to the House or to the Speaker/chairman.
Constitutional Mandate:
-Article 105: Powers, privileges, etc., of the houses of Parliament and of the members and committees thereof.
-Article 118: Each House of Parliament may make rules for regulations, subject to the provisions of this constitution, its procedure and the conduct of its business.
Parliamentary Committees in India are vital to the legislative process, helping Parliament manage its vast and complex responsibilities. They allow for detailed discussions, expert input, and scrutiny of government actions and policies. These committees are broadly classified into two categories:
Standing Committees and Ad-hoc Committees.
1. Standing Committees
These are permanent committees constituted every year or periodically and work continuously. They are further divided into different types:
a) Financial Committees
These committees focus on budgetary oversight and the financial accountability of the government. Key committees include:
Public Accounts Committee (PAC): Scrutinizes government spending and ensures public money is used efficiently.
Estimates Committee: Examines the budget estimates to suggest improvements in organization, efficiency, and economy.
Committee on Public Undertakings: Reviews the working of public sector enterprises and suggests measures for better performance.
b) Department-related Standing Committees (DRSCs)
These committees were introduced in 1993 to examine bills, budgets, and policies related to specific ministries or departments. There are 24 such committees, each focusing on a group of ministries. For example:
-Committee on Defence
-Committee on Finance
-Committee on Education, Women, Children, Youth, and Sports
c) Other Standing Committees
Committee on Petitions: Examines petitions submitted to Parliament.
Committee on Subordinate Legislation: Reviews rules, regulations, and other subordinate laws made by the government.
Privileges Committee: Investigates complaints related to breaches of parliamentary privileges.
Rules Committee: Looks into the rules of procedure in Parliament.
2. Ad-hoc Committees
These are temporary committees formed for a specific purpose and dissolved after their task is completed. They include:
Joint Parliamentary Committees (JPCs): Formed to investigate specific matters of public importance, such as scams or major policy issues.
Select Committees: Set up to examine specific bills in detail before passing them in Parliament.
Enquiry Committees: Appointed to investigate specific issues or misconducts.
Functions of Parliamentary Committees:
1.Examine Bills: Committees scrutinize the technical aspects of bills, making them more comprehensive and effective.
2.Budget Scrutiny: They review budget proposals and recommend changes for better financial discipline.
3.Oversight of the Executive: Committees hold the executive accountable by investigating its functioning and reviewing its policies.
4.Advisory Role: They make recommendations to Parliament and the government for improvement in lawmaking and governance.
These committees help Parliament work more effectively by allowing for detailed examination and expert input, ensuring transparency and accountability in governance.