1) The parliamentary standing committees are often described as ‘mini Parliament’, where the members are able to work outside of the party whip. Discuss their significance, challenges faced and measures needed for effective operations. (250 words)

Topic: Parliament and State Legislatures – structure, functioning, conduct of business, powers & privileges and issues arising out of these.

1) The parliamentary standing committees are often described as ‘mini Parliament’, where the members are able to work outside of the party whip. Discuss their significance, challenges faced and measures needed for effective operations. (250 words)

The Hindu

Why this question:

Rajya Sabha Chairman Venkaiah Naidu on Thursday pulled up members for skipping meetings of the standing committees. He said that only 18 members attended all the 41 meetings of the eight panels since their reconstitution in September last. The reprimand comes in the backdrop of Opposition parties’ constant criticism that the government bypasses all parliamentary scrutiny by not routing key legislations via the standing committees.

Key demand of the question:

The answer must discuss importance of parliamentary standing committees, their key functions, roles and responsibilities and justify their significance.

Directive:

Discuss – This is an all-encompassing directive – you have to debate on paper by going through the details of the issues concerned by examining each one of them. You have to give reasons for both for and against arguments.

Structure of the answer:

Introduction:

Define what are parliamentary committees.

Body:

Discuss in detail the following points:

What are Parliamentary standing committees? Their purposes?

Explain why is it in news.

Discuss the role and significance of parliamentary standing committees.

Conclusion:

Conclude with their importance.