Context: Recently, four Members of Parliaments said that their names were included in a proposed select committee of the House for the Delhi services bill without their consent.
More on the News:
- The select committee was proposed by Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Raghav Chadha in the Upper House to examine the Delhi services bill.
- Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi (Amendment) Bill, 2023 seeks to replace an ordinance on the handling of transfers and postings of officials in the Delhi government.
- India’s Parliament has several types of committees which discharge different functions:
- 12 Standing Committees: They are permanent in nature, with their members nominated from time to time by the Chairman.
- Ad hoc or temporary committees: They are set up for a specific purpose, such as examining a particular Bill, and are dissolved once that purpose has been served.
- Select Committee: They are a type of Ad-hoc Committee.
- Rule for Select Committees: Under Rule 125 of the Rajya Sabha Rules and Procedures, any member may move an amendment that a Bill be referred to a Select Committee.
- The motion to refer a Bill to a Select Committee can either be moved by the member in-charge of the Bill, or by any other MP, as happened in the case of the Delhi Services Bill, where the motion was moved by MP Chadha.
- Membership of Select committees: These committees consist of Members of Parliament (MPs) from both the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha.
- The members are chosen by the Speaker of the Lok Sabha or the Chairman of the Rajya Sabha, as the case may be.
- The selection process usually involves consultations with the leaders of various political parties and groups in the Parliament to ensure a fair representation.
- The members are chosen based on their expertise and interest in the subject matter of the committee.
- The number of members in a select committee varies depending on the nature and scope of the issue at hand.
- Committee conducts meetings and hearings to gather information and opinions from experts and stakeholders.
- The committee then submits a report with its recommendations to the Parliament for further action.
- In the Indian Parliament, select committees are formed to scrutinize specific bills, budgets or policies of the government.
- They seek inputs from experts, stakeholders, and the public to ensure that the proposed legislation is comprehensive and effective.
- Recommendation: The committee members deliberate on the provisions of the bill and make recommendations for amendments or modifications.
- Once the committee submits its report, the Parliament may accept or reject its recommendations.
- Consultative: They play a crucial role in ensuring that the legislative process is transparent and democratic.
- They provide a platform for stakeholders to voice their opinions and concerns, and their recommendations can influence the final outcome of a bill.
- They are an essential part of the Indian parliamentary system, and their work helps to ensure that legislation is well-informed and effective.