Explain the structure of the Parliamentary Committee system. How far have the financial committees helped in the institutionalisation of Indian Parliament? (Answer in 250 words)

Parliamentary committees provide detailed, less partisan scrutiny that plenary debates alone cannot offer.

Structure

• They include standing committees, department-related standing committees, financial committees and ad hoc or select committees.
• Members are nominated or elected; ministers are generally excluded from department-related committees to preserve scrutiny.
• Reports are recommendatory but supported by evidence, expert testimony and examination of official records.

Financial committees

• The Public Accounts Committee examines CAG reports and whether expenditure was lawful and properly authorised.
• The Estimates Committee studies economy, efficiency and administrative reform in estimates.
• The Committee on Public Undertakings examines performance and autonomy of public enterprises.
• Together they promote legislative control over the executive, continuity across governments and evidence-based accountability.

Limitations include delayed reports, non-binding recommendations, limited research support, low attendance and insufficient discussion of action-taken reports. More staff, timely referrals and mandatory government responses would deepen parliamentary institutionalisation.

polity, Parliament, parliamentary committees, financial accountability