Why in news
- Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha reconstituted their Department-Related Parliamentary Standing Committees (DRSCs) for the annual term.
Key terms
DRSC
Department-Related Standing Committee designed to examine legislation, budgets, and policies of specific ministries.
Legislative Oversight
The monitoring and supervision of executive actions and policy implementation by Parliament.
Demands for Grants
Formal expenditure proposals submitted by government ministries to Parliament for sanction.
Parliamentary Committee
A panel of MPs appointed or elected by the House to perform specific oversight duties.
What are DRSCs?
- Department-Related Standing Committees were first established in 1993 to ensure continuous legislative oversight of executive departments.
- There are 24 DRSCs covering all ministries, with 16 managed under Lok Sabha and 8 under Rajya Sabha.
Composition and Function
- Each committee consists of 31 members (21 from Lok Sabha and 10 from Rajya Sabha) nominated by the Speaker and Chairman respectively.
- They examine demands for grants, scrutinize bills referred to them, and review annual reports and policy documents of assigned ministries.
Why it matters
- DRSCs provide a non-partisan forum for detailed legislative scrutiny beyond the limited time available on the floor of Parliament.
Prelims facts
- DRSCs consist of 31 members: 21 from Lok Sabha and 10 from Rajya Sabha.
- DRSC reports are advisory and non-binding on the government.
Mains discussion
- Role of Parliamentary Committees in strengthening legislative scrutiny and executive accountability.
Source: Economic Times
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