Parliamentary Committees are groups of MPs formed to handle specialized tasks on behalf of the whole Parliament, enabling detailed scrutiny of bills, policies, and government functioning beyond the limited time available during regular sessions.

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• Parliament meets for about 100 days annually; committees help manage the large volume and diversity of legislative work efficiently.
• Bills can be referred to Select Committees (single house) or Joint Committees (both houses) for detailed clause-by-clause examination and expert consultation.
• Committees submit reports to the House; dissenting members can add their views separately.
• Types of Committees by purpose and duration:

1. Standing Committees: Permanent, ongoing committees in each House.
2. Ad Hoc Committees: Temporary, set up for specific tasks; dissolve after submitting reports.

• Types of Committees by composition:

1. Select Committees: From one House (Lok Sabha or Rajya Sabha).
2. Joint Committees: Members from both Houses.

• Examples of Standing Committees in Lok Sabha include Business Advisory Committee, Committee on Welfare of OBCs, Committee on Empowerment of Women, Rules Committee, and more.
• Rajya Sabha’s Standing Committees include Committee on Petitions, Ethics Committee, Committee on Government Assurances, Rules Committee, and others.
• Important Joint Committees include Public Accounts Committee (PAC), Committee on Empowerment of Women, Library Committee, Railway Convention Committee, and more.
• Department-Related Standing Committees oversee specific ministries/departments (e.g., Agriculture, Defence, Finance) and consist of members nominated from both Houses; their term is one year.
• Key functions of Department-Related Standing Committees:

1. Examine Demands for Grants.
2. Scrutinize bills referred by the Speaker or Chairman.
3. Consider Annual Reports and long-term policy documents.