Committees which are separate for Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha
Business Advisory Committee
There are two Business Advisory Committees in the Parliament of India, one each for Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha. These committees regulate the programme and time table of concerned house.
Members
The Lok Sabha Business Advisory Committee has 15 members including Speaker, who is also its chairman. The Rajya Sabha Business Advisory Committee has 11 members including the Vice-President as its ex-officio chairman. The members are nominated by speaker / chairman as the case may be.
Term
The function of the Committee is to recommend the time that should be allocated for the discussion of the stage or stages of Government Bills and other business as the Speaker, in consultation with the Leader of the House, may direct for being referred to the Committee. The committee plans and regulates the Business of the house and renders advice regarding the allocation of time on various discussions.
Committee on Petitions
Both Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha have their Committee on Petitions. While Lok Sabha committee has 15 members, Rajya Sabha has 10 members. The members of these committees are nominated by Speaker / Chairman as the case may be. The major function of this committee is to examine every petition referred to it and if the petition complies with the rules to direct that it be circulated.
Committee of Privileges
Both Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha have their Committee on Privileges. The Lok Sabha committee has
15 members, while the Rajya Sabha committee has 10 members. The members are nominated by the Speaker / Chairman as the case may be. The functions of this committee are semi-judicial in nature including examination of breach of privileges of the House. The committee recommends appropriate action.
Committee on Government Assurances
Each house of the Parliament has a committee on Government Assurances which examines the assurances, promises and undertakings given by the ministers on the floor of that house. The Lok Sabha Committee on Assurances has 15 members and Rajya Sabha Committee on Assurances has 10 members.
Committee on Subordinate Legislation
Every house of the parliament has a Committee on subordinate legislation whose main function is to examine the rules and regulations enacted by the executive to fill the gaps in the laws enacted by the parliament and report how far these rules are within limits prescribed in the main law. This committee has 15 members each in Rajya Sabha and Lok Sabha.
Rules Committee
Every house of Parliament has a rules committee which considers the issues related to procedure and conduct of the business in that house and suggest necessary amendments in the rules. The Lok Sabha committee has 15 members and Speaker is its ex-officio chairman. Rajya Sabha committee has 16 members and Vice-President is its ex-officio Chairman.
General Purposes Committee
Each house of parliament has its General Purpose Committee which considers and advises on general matters that are not covered by any other committee. This committee has Speaker {in Lok Sabha) and Chairman / Vice-President {In Rajya Sabha} as its chairman. The Deputy Speaker {in Lok Sabha} and Deputy Chairman {in Rajya Sabha} are also its members. There are further members are whose number is not fixed and who are appointed by Speaker or Chairman.
Committee on Papers Laid on the Table
Each house of Parliament has a Committee on papers laid on the table. The Lok Sabha Committee has 15 members while the Rajya Sabha members have 10 members. The function of this committee is to examine the papers laid on the table of the house by ministers to see if they comply with the constitutional, regulatory and legal aspects.
Committees which Exist only in Lok Sabha
Committee on Absence of Members
Committee on Absence of Members is a special committee in Lok Sabha of India’s parliament. There is no such committee in Rajya Sabha. This committee considers the applications of members for leave of absence from sitting of the house and also examines the cases of members who are absent for a period of 60 or more days without permission.
Departmentally Related Standing Committees (DRSCs)
17 Departmentally Related Standing Committees (DRSCs) were constituted on 29th March, 1993 covering all Government Ministries/Departments. These DRSCs replaced the earlier three subject Committees constituted in August, 1989. The 17 DRSCs were formally constituted with effect from 8th April, 1993. At present there are 24 Departmentally Related Standing Committees (DRSCs).
