Average of 53% MPs attend meetings of 16 Parliamentary Standing Committees, PAC: data

Why in news

Data revealed that an average of only 53% of MPs attended meetings of 16 Parliamentary Standing Committees and the Public Accounts Committee since their reconstitution last September.

Background

The data shows that nearly 47% of members were absent from committee meetings, leading to five meetings being postponed due to a lack of quorum. Higher attendance was recorded in committees focused on Railways, Petroleum and Natural Gas, External Affairs, and Finance.

Facts for Prelims

• FactAverage attendance of 53% across 16 department-related Standing Committees and the Public Accounts Committee.
• FactFive meetings were postponed specifically due to a lack of quorum.
• FactCommittees with higher attendance included Railways, Petroleum and Natural Gas, External Affairs, and Finance.

For Mains

Q. Critically examine the role of Parliamentary Standing Committees in ensuring executive accountability and discuss measures to improve member participation in these deliberations.

Dimensions to cover in your answer

• Accountability gap: Low attendance undermines the committee's role in scrutinizing departmental expenditures and policy implementation.
• Quorum constraints: Frequent postponings due to lack of quorum hinder the timely review of critical national issues.
• Institutional inertia: Low engagement in non-core committees may lead to uneven oversight of diverse government sectors.

Keywords: Parliamentary Oversight · Executive Accountability · Quorum · Standing Committees · Legislative Scrutiny

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