From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: Quorum, Parliamentary committees
Mains level: Not Much
The opposition parties in the Rajya Sabha has contradicted the holding the virtual meetings of standing committees to ensure quorum during deliberations.
Try this question from CSP 2018:
Q.With reference to the Parliament of India which of the following Parliamentary Committees scrutinizes and reports to the House whether the powers to make regulations, rules, sub rules, bylaws, etc. conferred by the Constitution or delegated by the Parliament is being properly exercised by the Executive within the scope of such delegation?
(a) Committee on Government Assurances
(b) Committee on Subordinate Legislation
(c) Rules Committee
(d) Business Advisory Committee
What is Quorum?
- A quorum is the minimum number of members of a deliberative assembly necessary to conduct the business of that group.
- The requirement for a quorum is protection against totally unrepresentative action in the name of the body by an unduly small number of persons.
- Article 100 (3) of the Constitution of India stipulates that at least 10% of the total number of members of the House must be present to constitute the quorum to constitute a meeting of either House of Parliament.
- Article 189 (3) and (4) provides for similar provisions for State Legislatures.
- For example, if the House has a total membership of 500, at least 50 members must be present for the House to proceed with its business.
What did RS Secretariat say over the requirement of quorum?
- Parliamentarian these days are unable to travel to Delhi for obvious COVID reasons.
- The Rajya Sabha secretariat has said that quorum was essential only when the committees are making decisions or adopting reports and not during routine deliberations.
Back2Basics: What are Standing Committees?
- Standing Committee is a committee consisting of Members of Parliament.
- It is a permanent and regular committee which is constituted from time to time according to the provisions of an Act of Parliament or Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business.
- The work done by the Indian Parliament is not only voluminous but also of a complex nature, hence a good deal of its work is carried out in these Parliamentary Committees.
- Standing Committees are of the following kinds :
- Financial Standing Committees (FSC)
- Department Related Standing Committees (DRSC)
- Others Standing Committees (OSC)
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