In 1993, the Parliament established 17 Departmentally-Related Standing Committees (DRSCs) following the Rules Committee of the Lok Sabha's recommendations. Seven additional committees were established in 2004, bringing the total to 24.
Purpose of the standing committees:
- Ensure greater accountability of the Executive (Council of Ministers) to the Parliament, particularly financial accountability.
- Help the Parliament debate the budget more effectively.
Structure and Composition:
- The 24 standing committees cover all ministries and departments of the Central Government.
- Each standing committee consists of 31 members (21 from the Lok Sabha and 10 from the Rajya Sabha).
- Members of the committees are nominated by the Speaker (for the Lok Sabha) and the Chairman (for the Rajya Sabha) from amongst their respective members.
- Ministers are not eligible to serve on any of the standing committees. If a member is appointed a minister after their nomination to a standing committee, they cease to be a member of the committee.
Term of Office:
- The term of office of each standing committee is one year from the date of its constitution.
Committee Distribution:
- 8 committees work under the Rajya Sabha, and 16 work under the Lok Sabha.