Department-related Parliamentary Standing Committees play a crucial role in the functioning of parliamentary control and ensuring the accountability of the administration. These committees are responsible for examining various bills, policies, and issues related to specific departments. They scrutinize the government's functioning, evaluate its performance, and suggest improvements, thereby keeping the administration on its toes and inspiring reverence for parliamentary control.

One example of the effectiveness of such committees is the Public Accounts Committee (PAC), which scrutinizes the government's financial transactions. The PAC thoroughly examines the government's audit reports, analyzes their findings, and holds the administration accountable for any financial irregularities or mismanagement. By doing so, it ensures that taxpayers' money is used efficiently and inspires a sense of responsibility and transparency within the administration.

Another example is the Standing Committee on Personnel, Public Grievances, Law and Justice. This committee examines matters related to the personnel policies of the government, legal and constitutional issues, and public grievances. It plays a pivotal role in ensuring the administration's adherence to laws, regulations, and ethical conduct. By conducting detailed inquiries and suggesting improvements, this committee inspires reverence for parliamentary control and reinforces the importance of the rule of law.

These committees also provide a platform for constructive dialogue and debate between elected representatives and the administration. They allow members of parliament to ask questions, seek clarifications, and express concerns about policies and actions of the government. This helps in maintaining transparency, fostering democratic values, and encouraging the administration to be more responsive to the needs and aspirations of the public.

However, the effectiveness of these committees is not without challenges. Sometimes, due to political affiliations or time constraints, committee recommendations might not be implemented promptly or adequately. It is crucial to ensure that the recommendations of these committees are given due importance and are followed through to achieve the desired impact on governance.

In conclusion, department-related Parliamentary Standing Committees provide a robust mechanism for parliamentary control and accountability. They act as watchdogs, keeping the administration on its toes and inspiring reverence for parliamentary oversight. While they face challenges, their working, as exemplified by committees like the PAC and the Standing Committee on Personnel, Public Grievances, Law, and Justice, significantly contributes to ensuring a responsible and efficient administration.

Do Department-related Parliamentary Standing Committees Keep the Administration on its Toes and Inspire Reverence for Parliamentary Control?

Department-related Parliamentary Standing Committees (DRPSCs) are crucial in the Indian parliamentary system, serving as watchdogs over the executive branch and ensuring accountability. While they are not designed to directly "inspire reverence" for parliamentary control, their work demonstrably keeps the administration on its toes, promoting transparency and responsiveness.

Arguments for DRPSCs as effective oversight mechanisms:

• Scrutinizing Government Policies: DRPSCs scrutinize government policies and programs across various departments, including finance, defense, education, and health. They examine budgetary allocations, program effectiveness, and administrative efficiency, holding the government accountable for its actions.
• Investigating Misconduct: They have the power to investigate allegations of misconduct or corruption within government departments, ensuring that public funds are utilized effectively and ethically.
• Recommending Policy Changes: DRPSCs can propose amendments to existing policies or recommend new legislation based on their findings, shaping government policy and ensuring it aligns with the needs of the people.
• Public Hearings: These committees often hold public hearings to gather input from stakeholders, including experts, civil society groups, and ordinary citizens, fostering transparency and inclusivity in governance.

Examples of Effective DRPSC Oversight:

• CAG Report on Coal Block Allocation: The Public Accounts Committee (PAC), a DRPSC, investigated irregularities in the allocation of coal blocks, exposing corruption and leading to significant policy changes in the mining sector.
• The Defence Acquisition Committee: The DRPSC on Defence scrutinizes defense procurement processes, ensuring transparency and value for money in defense spending.
• The Committee on Education, Women, Children, Youth and Sports: This committee investigates issues related to education quality and access, promoting accountability in the education sector.

Challenges and Limitations:

• Lack of Enforcement Power: DRPSCs lack the power to enforce their recommendations, relying on the government's willingness to implement their findings.
• Limited Resources: Some committees struggle with inadequate resources, hindering their investigative capacity and effectiveness.
• Political Influence: The composition of committees can be influenced by political considerations, potentially impacting their independence and effectiveness.

Conclusion:

While facing challenges, DRPSCs play a vital role in keeping the administration on its toes and promoting transparency and accountability. Their work fosters a culture of scrutiny and encourages the government to be more responsive to parliamentary control. While "reverence" might be a strong term, their actions certainly inspire respect for the role of Parliament in ensuring good governance. Ultimately, the effectiveness of these committees depends on their ability to work independently, effectively utilize resources, and exert pressure on the executive to implement their recommendations.

Department-related Parliamentary Standing Committees (DRPSCs) are an essential feature of India's parliamentary system, playing a crucial role in scrutinizing the executive's actions and ensuring accountability. These committees, comprising Members of Parliament (MPs) from both the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha, are responsible for overseeing the functioning of various government departments. In this answer, we'll evaluate the working of DRPSCs and their impact on keeping the administration on its toes and inspiring reverence for parliamentary control.

Functions and Importance

DRPSCs were established in 1993 to strengthen parliamentary scrutiny and oversight. Each committee is responsible for examining the expenditure, administration, and policy implementation of a specific department or ministry. The committees have the power to:

1. Examine bills referred to them by the Speaker of the Lok Sabha or the Chairman of the Rajya Sabha.
2. Scrutinize the demand for grants of various ministries and departments.
3. Examine the working of the department or ministry, including the implementation of policies and programs.
4. Hear the views of experts, stakeholders, and citizens on matters related to the department or ministry.

Keeping the Administration on its Toes

DRPSCs have been instrumental in keeping the administration accountable and responsive to parliamentary scrutiny. Here are some examples:

1. Questioning of Government Officials: Committee members can summon government officials, including ministers, to answer questions and provide explanations on various issues. This ensures that officials are prepared to defend their decisions and actions.
2. Scrutiny of Budget Allocations: Committees examine budget allocations and question the government on the utilization of funds, helping to prevent misallocation of resources.
3. Exposure of Lapses and Irregularities: DRPSCs have exposed irregularities and lapses in governance, such as the 2G spectrum scam and the coal block allocation scam, leading to corrective actions and even resignations of ministers.

Inspiring Reverence for Parliamentary Control

DRPSCs have helped to establish the importance of parliament's oversight role, ensuring that the executive branch remains accountable to the legislature. Here are some examples:

1. Enforcing Accountability: By exercising their powers, DRPSCs have ensured that the government is held accountable for its actions, reinforcing the principle of parliamentary supremacy.
2. Promoting Transparency: Committees have pushed for transparency in government functioning, leading to the disclosure of information and documentation related to policy decisions and program implementation.
3. Influencing Policy Decisions: DRPSCs have influenced policy decisions by providing inputs and recommendations, which have shaped the government's approach to various issues.

Examples of Effective DRPSCs

1. Public Accounts Committee (PAC): The PAC, which examines the accounts and financial dealings of the government, has been instrumental in exposing financial irregularities and pushing for transparency.
2. Standing Committee on Finance: This committee has scrutinized major economic policy decisions, such as the Goods and Services Tax (GST) and demonetization, and provided crucial feedback to the government.
3. Standing Committee on Health and Family Welfare: This committee has examined the government's response to public health crises, such as the COVID-19 pandemic, and made recommendations for improvement.

Challenges and Limitations

While DRPSCs have made significant contributions to parliamentary oversight, they face challenges and limitations, including:

1. Lack of Teeth: Committees often lack the power to enforce their recommendations, making them dependent on the government's willingness to implement changes.
2. Partisan Politics: Political allegiances can influence committee decisions and discussions, undermining the objective scrutiny of government actions.
3. Limited Resources: Committees often lack the necessary resources, including staff and infrastructure, to effectively discharge their duties.

In conclusion, Department-related Parliamentary Standing Committees play a vital role in keeping the administration on its toes and inspiring reverence for parliamentary control. While they face challenges and limitations, DRPSCs have been instrumental in promoting transparency, accountability, and good governance. Effective functioning of these committees is essential to strengthen India's parliamentary democracy.