Usefulness of Committees in Parliamentary Work Role of Committees: Committees are crucial for efficient parliamentary functioning as they facilitate detailed scrutiny of legislation, administration, and budgetary matters. They provide specialized oversight, enhance accountability, and ensure comprehRead more
Usefulness of Committees in Parliamentary Work
Role of Committees: Committees are crucial for efficient parliamentary functioning as they facilitate detailed scrutiny of legislation, administration, and budgetary matters. They provide specialized oversight, enhance accountability, and ensure comprehensive examination beyond the constraints of full House discussions. For instance, committees allow for in-depth discussions and expert testimonies, which aid in crafting more informed and balanced policies.
Role of the Estimate Committee: The Estimate Committee plays a significant role in the Indian Parliament’s budgetary process. Established under the Rules of Procedure, its primary functions include:
- Examination of Estimates: The Committee reviews and examines the budgetary estimates presented by various ministries and departments. It assesses whether the allocations align with the government’s policy priorities and are used efficiently.
- Report on Economy: It scrutinizes expenditure patterns and suggests improvements for cost-effectiveness. For example, recent recommendations have led to better financial management practices and enhanced transparency in fund utilization.
- Recommendations for Revisions: The Committee provides recommendations for adjustments in estimates to ensure that funds are allocated in accordance with the needs and priorities of the country. This has resulted in significant policy adjustments and reallocation of resources for underfunded sectors.
Recent Examples: The Estimate Committee’s review of the 2022-23 Union Budget highlighted discrepancies in fund allocations for rural development programs, leading to a re-evaluation and increased funding for critical areas.
In summary, the Estimate Committee enhances parliamentary efficiency by providing detailed analysis and recommendations on budgetary allocations, thus playing a vital role in fiscal oversight and accountability.
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The "Once a Speaker, Always a Speaker" principle might have been designed to promote impartiality but may also prove a boon and a bane to efficient parliamentary business management in India. Advantages: It would highly increase the impartiality of the Speaker because there would be no chance of eveRead more
The “Once a Speaker, Always a Speaker” principle might have been designed to promote impartiality but may also prove a boon and a bane to efficient parliamentary business management in India.
Advantages:
It would highly increase the impartiality of the Speaker because there would be no chance of ever returning to active party politics and, hence, any perceived or actual biases that may result from future political ambitions.
Strengthen Democratic Norms: This convention would strengthen the non-partisan character of the office of the Speaker, hence improving the democratic process and further instilling confidence in the institution among the people.
Reduced Impact of Political Pressure: Since there is no hope of political benefits in the future, the Speaker may not be under so much pressure to make political decisions but rather make impartial ones.
It may be considered a limitation of the political career of someone holding the office of Speaker, thereby discouraging men and women of good standing from holding such an office.
-Potential Not to Join Party After Term Has Been Completed: The potential not to join their party once their term has been served would reduce the incentive for highly qualified people to seek the position of Speaker.
Detachment from Political Realities: A Speaker permanently disconnected in active politics may become disoriented from the dynamic political scenario and thus would not be able to efficiently preside over the business of parliament and understand the nuances of contemporary political oratory.
Constitutional Issues: It may even attract constitutional questions because it can breach one’s right to associate oneself or oneself with political activity.
Alternative approaches to the “Once a Speaker, Always a Speaker” principle can be utilized to neutralize the office of the Speaker as follows:
-Strengthening the existing norms and conventions: It could be in focusing on strengthening existing norms and conventions governing the office of the Speaker to be directed toward non-partisanship and impartiality.
-Public awareness of the importance of the Speaker’s neutrality as well as to the need of maintaining the office dignity.
See less-Policies on periodical and clear review of conduct of the Speaker so that judgment is perceived not to be arbitrary and concerns will be addressed.