SELECT COMMITTEE
1. Context
Recently, A Controversy has erupted in the Rajya Sabha over the appointment of members to a Select Committee to examine the Delhi Services Bill.
Five MPs have complained that their names were included in the proposed committee without their consent.
2. About Select Committee
- India’s Parliament has several types of committees which discharge different functions. 12 Standing Committees are permanent, with their members nominated from time to time by the Chairman.
- Then there are ad hoc or temporary committees, which are set up for a specific purpose, such as examining a particular Bill, and are dissolved once that purpose has been served.
- A Select Committee belongs to this category. However, while it is temporary, the procedure it is to follow is laid down in the Rules of Procedure.
- 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.
| According to the Rajya Sabha rules, “The Select/Joint Committees on Bills are constituted by the House(s) on a specific motion moved by the Minister-in-charge of the Bill or any member and adopted by the House to consider and report on Bills as referred to them from time to time.” A Joint Committee has members from both Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha. |
- 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.
3. Selection procedure of members for the Select Committee
| According to the Rajya Sabha rules, “On a motion moved in and adopted by the House, Bills are from time to time referred to Select Committees, the members on which are specifically named in the motion… The members of the Select Committee on a Bill are appointed by the House when the motion that the Bill be referred to a Select Committee is made… No member is appointed to a Select Committee if he is not willing to serve on the Committee. The mover has to ascertain whether the member proposed by him is willing to serve on the Committee.” |
- Thus, while the rules do say that a proposed member’s consent has to be taken before he can serve on a Select Committee, they do not specifically mention collecting signatures of those whose names have been proposed.
- The actual number of members of the Select Committee is not fixed; it varies from Committee to Committee.
- If it is a Joint Committee, the proportion of members from the Rajya Sabha and the Lok Sabha is 1:2.
- The Chairman of the Committee is appointed by the Chairman of the Rajya Sabha from among the members of the Committee.
- The member or Minister in charge of the Bill is generally included as a member of the Committee.
4. The function and the purpose of the Select Committee
- The quorum for each sitting needs to be one-third of the total number of members of the committee.
- In case of equality of votes on any matter, the chairman (or any other person presiding) will have a second or casting vote.
- A select committee may appoint a sub-committee to examine any special points connected with the Bill. The report will be signed on behalf of the committee by the chairman.
- Any member can record dissent. The report, along with notes of dissent, will be presented to the Rajya Sabha, printed and circulated among all members.
- The Committee’s job is to go through the text of the Bill, clause by clause, to see that the Bill reflects the intention behind the measure and that the object proposed to be achieved is adequately brought out.
- The Committee may, for this purpose, invite memoranda from or take oral evidence of experts or interested persons and organisations.
- The Committee may also ask the Government officials to explain the policy behind the various provisions of the Bill and to supply it with such information and background material as may be required by it.
- After hearing the evidence, the Committee considers the various provisions of the Bill and formulates its conclusions and may amend the clauses, etc. of the Bill to bring about the intention.
- The Committee may also visit organisations and institutions, etc. for on-the-spot study of a matter connected with the Bill.
5. Impact of the Select Committee Report
- The report of the committee is recommendatory. The government can choose to accept or reject its recommendations.
- A Select Committee can also include its version of the Bill. If they do so, the minister in charge of that particular Bill can move for the committee’s version of the Bill to be discussed and passed in the House.
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For Prelims: Select Committee, Parliament, Prelivage Committee, Delhi Services Bill, Ad hoc committees, temporary committees,
For Mains:
1. What is Select Committee? Discuss its role and significance in the legislative process, highlighting its temporary nature and the procedure for its establishment. (250 Words)
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Previous Year Questions
1. Consider the following statements: The Parliamentary Committee on Public Accounts (UPSC 2013)
1. consists of not more than 25 members of the Lok Sabha.
2. scrutinizes appropriation and finance accounts of the Government.
3. examines the report of the Comptroller and Auditor General of India.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
A. 1 only B. 2 and 3 only C. 3 only D. 1, 2 and 3
Answer: B
2. Which one of the following statements about 'Privilege Committee' is not correct? (MPSC 2020)
1. Rule No. 222 of the Lok Sabha and 187 of the Rajya Sabha governs privilege. '
2. In the Lok Sabha, the Speaker nominates a Committee of Privileges consisting of 15 members.
3. In the Rajya Sabha, the Deputy Chairperson heads the Committee of Privileges, that consists of 15 members.
4. None of the above
Answer: 3
3. Which of the following statements with regard to the privileges of the Members of the Parliament are correct? (CDS GK 2020)
1. Privileges would not be fettered by the Article 19(1)(a) of the Constitution of India.
2. Privileges must be read subject to the Articles 20-22 and Article 32 of the Constitution of India.
3. Immunity is available in relation to both civil and criminal prosecution.
4. Immunity is available in relation to freedom of speech even in his /her private or personal capacity.
Select the correct answer using the code given below.
A. 1, 2 and 4 B. 1 and 2 only C. 2 and 3 D. 1 and 4 only
Answer: B
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Source: The Indian Express
