Parliamentary panels, also known as parliamentary committees, are integral components of legislative bodies globally. Comprising members from various political...
A parliamentary panel, or committee, is a group of Members of Parliament (MPs) constituted to examine specific legislative, financial, or departmental matters in greater detail than the full legislative body can.
Their main role is to provide in-depth scrutiny of government bills, policies, budgets, and departmental functioning, thereby enhancing parliamentary oversight, accountability, and informed decision-making.
Generally, the recommendations of parliamentary panels are advisory and not legally binding on the government. However, they carry significant weight and often influence policy and legislative outcomes.
Parliamentary panels are broadly categorized into Standing Committees (permanent, dealing with ongoing subjects) and Ad Hoc Committees (temporary, formed for specific purposes like investigations or particular bills).
Members are typically nominated by the presiding officers (like the Speaker or Chairman) based on the proportional strength of political parties within the Parliament, ensuring broad representation.