How has the system of Parliamentary committee affected the over - seeing and appraisal of legislation by the Parliament?

Since the Parliament meets only during sessions, it has very limited time at its disposal. But to make laws it is necessary to consider a bill in depth and therefore more attention and time should be given. It is done by the Parliamentary committees. Since 1983, India has developed a system of Parliamentary Standing Committees. There are over twenty such departmentally related committees. Joint Parliamentary Committees are also doing the eminent work for the purpose of discussing a particular bill. Business advisory committee, committee on private member’s bills, select committee, the estimates committee, the public accounts committee and committees on privileges, rules committee and some other committees exist in the Parliament.

The committee system has reduced the burden on the Parliament. Many important bills have been referred to committees and there, a large part of the discussion takes place. Amendments to the bill can also be proposed at this stage. The committees try to gather full information regarding that bill and can ask any member to appear before it.

The recommendation of the committee is sent to the House. After that, on the basis of the report submitted by the committee, general discussion on the bill takes place in the House. The supporters of the bill give arguments in its favour while those, who are opposed to the bill point out the defects of the bill before the House and recommend its modification of rejection. The Parliament has merely approved the work done in the committees with few occasional alterations. The Parliament is the supreme law making body. Of course legally speaking, no bill can become law and no budget will be sanctioned unless approved by the Parliament. But the Parliament rarely rejects the suggestions made by the committees.