Page 214 - SST Class 08

COMMITTEE SYSTEM IN PARLIAMENT Sabha. Its functions include examination of

The Parliament has to perform complex and bills pertaining to concerned ministries and
varied kind of functions. A committee can be to report thereupon. Examples of such
called a Parliamentary committee if it is committees include committees on agricul-
appointed or elected by the house or nominated ture, communications, etc.
by the Speaker or the Chairman; it has a secre- 2. Three Financial Committees : The three
tariat provided by the Lok Sabha or Rajya Sabha financial committees are Public Accounts
secretariat. Committee, Committee on Public
A Parliamentary Committee can either be a Undertakings and Estimates Committee
Standing Committees or an Ad hoc Committee. dealing with monetary matters.
Standing Committees are permanent committees 3. Ad Hoc Committees : These are consti-
and are constituted for a fixed tenure. tuted from time to time to report on specific
The Indian Parliament committee system issues, for example, Joint Parliamentary
includes : Committee to enquire into Bafors Contracts.
1. Standing Committee : Standing
Committees consist of 30 Members from
Lok Sabha and 15 members from Rajya

Terminology

Legislative : having the power to make laws
Clergy : the body of all people ordained for religious duties, especially in the Christian Church
Amends : compensate or make up for a wrongdoing
Sanctioned : give official permission or approval for (an action)
Biennially : occurring every two years (a biennial celebration)

Franchise : an authorisation granted by a government or company to an individual or group enabling
them to carry out specified commercial activities
Adjournment : an act or period of adjourning or being adjourned

Inside Story
Inside Story
g Parliament is the highest legislative body in a country.
g In India, the national legislature of elected representatives is called the Parliament.

g The Parliament has the supreme power legislation in India. It makes, amends and
abolishes laws.

g In Britain, the Parliament is supreme, but in India, the Parliament is not supreme and has
limited powers.
g According to the Article 80 of the Indian constitution, Rajya Sabha consists of 250
members.
g A censure motion is based on certain issues and it criticises the government on specific
policies or acts.

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