Committees of Parliament, also known as parliamentary committees, are specialized groups of Members of Parliament (MPs) or Members of the Legislative Assembly (MLAs) in India, responsible for various functions such as legislative review, oversight of government actions, and detailed examination of specific issues. These committees play a crucial role in the functioning of the legislative branch of government. In India, there are two main types of parliamentary committees:

Standing Committees: These are permanent committees that are constituted for the duration of a parliamentary session or for a fixed term. Standing committees are further categorized into different types, each having specific functions. Some of the important types of standing committees in the Indian Parliament include:

• • Public Accounts Committee (PAC): Responsible for examining government expenditures and ensuring financial accountability.

  • Estimates Committee: Examines and reports on the estimates included in the annual budget.

  • Committee on Public Undertakings: Focuses on the performance and functioning of public sector enterprises.

  • Committee on Petitions: Examines public petitions submitted to the Parliament.

  • Committee on Welfare of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes: Addresses issues related to the welfare of these marginalized communities.

Ad Hoc Committees: These are temporary committees formed to address specific issues or tasks. Ad hoc committees are typically disbanded once they complete their designated functions. They can be set up for various purposes, including investigations, inquiries, or special reports.

• Joint Parliamentary Committees: These are ad hoc committees composed of members from both houses of Parliament (Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha). They are formed to investigate and report on specific issues, such as pending bills or controversies.

• Select Committees: These are typically used in the context of bills being considered by the Parliament. Select committees are tasked with a detailed examination of a bill's provisions and may suggest amendments.

• Business Advisory Committee: Responsible for scheduling business in Parliament and deciding the allocation of time for different items on the agenda.

Code of Conduct: Developing, maintaining, and updating a code of conduct for MPs, which outlines the expected ethical behavior, responsibilities, and standards that they should adhere to in their role as public representatives.

Investigations: Investigating allegations of unethical behavior, violations of the code of conduct, or conflicts of interest involving MPs. This may involve conducting inquiries, interviewing witnesses, and gathering evidence.

Recommendations: Based on the findings of investigations, the Committee may recommend disciplinary actions or sanctions against MPs found to have engaged in unethical conduct. These actions can include censure, suspension, or expulsion from the Parliament.

Advisory Role: Providing guidance and advice to MPs on ethical matters, including questions related to conflicts of interest, declarations of financial interests, and adherence to ethical norms.

• Article 122 of the Indian Constitution says parliamentary proceedings cannot be questioned before a court.
• In some cases, however, courts have intervened in the procedural functioning of legislatures.
• For example, the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly passed a resolution in its 2021 Monsoon Session suspending 12 BJP MLAs for a year.
• The matter came before the Supreme Court, which held that the resolution was ineffective in law beyond the remainder of the Monsoon Session.