Select Committee in Indian Parliament: Composition, Powers, Functions, Significance

Select Committee: India is considered to be the world’s largest democracy. Every law in our country is made in the Parliament. But making law is a long-drawn process. A Bill must be studied carefully before it becomes a law. For this reason, Parliament uses different committees. One such important committee is called the Select Committee.

Select Committees play a big role in shaping the laws of India. They check every part of a Bill, invite experts, and then suggest changes. This makes sure that laws are fair, useful, and clear for everyone.

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What is a Select Committee?

Before a Bill becomes a law, it needs to be read, discussed, and sometimes corrected. This is where the Select Committee comes in. A Select Committee meaning is a small group of Members of Parliament (MPs) formed to study one specific Bill. The word “select” means that MPs are specially chosen for this task. Their job is to carefully read the Bill, talk about its good and bad points, and then suggest improvements.

Unlike Standing Committees, which work all the time on different subjects, a Select Committee is temporary. Once the committee finishes its job and submits a report, it ends.

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Composition of Select Committee

The Select Committee members are not made up of all MPs. Only a limited number of MPs are chosen. This system ensures that different opinions are heard while studying the Bill. A select committee is composed of the following members:

• The size of the committee depends on the Bill and the House (Lok Sabha or Rajya Sabha).
• Members are picked in such a way that all major political parties get fair representation.
• Both ruling party MPs and opposition MPs are included. This balance makes the committee’s work more reliable.
• One member acts as the Chairman. The Chairman leads the meetings and ensures that discussions are smooth.

Appointment of Select Committee

The process of the formation of the Select Committee is important to understand. The appointment of a Select Committee is a democratic process where MPs decide together. It can be summarized as follows:

• When a Bill is introduced in Parliament, sometimes MPs feel it needs deeper study.
• Any MP can suggest that the Bill should be referred to a Select Committee.
• A motion (formal proposal) is then moved in the House. If most MPs agree, the Bill is sent to the Select Committee.
• Members of the committee are selected by the House. In the case of the Lok Sabha, the Speaker plays a role. In the Rajya Sabha, the Chairman helps in the appointment.

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Powers and Functions of a Select Committee

The Select Committee has many responsibilities. Its main goal is to make the Bill better and more useful for people. The committee acts as a bridge between Parliament and the people. It makes sure laws are not passed in a hurry. Instead, they are passed after deep thought and discussion. The Powers and functions of this committee are provided in the table below:

Process of Working of a Select Committee

The working style of a Select Committee is systematic. This process ensures that nothing is left unchecked. The working of a select committee of Lok Sabha within the Indian Parliament follows the following process:

1. Meetings: The committee meets regularly in a private setting. This is to allow free discussion without political pressure.
2. Quorum: A minimum number of members must be present for the meeting to start.
3. Evidence collection: Experts, government officials, or even organizations can be invited to give their views.
4. Clause-by-clause study: Every part of the Bill is checked line by line.
5. Drafting the report: After all discussions, the select committee report is prepared.
6. Submission: The report is presented back to the House. MPs then debate the Bill again, keeping the committee’s suggestions in mind.

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Difference Between Select Committee and Joint Committee

Both Select Committees and Joint Committees examine Bills, but they are different in nature. While both work to improve laws, their composition and scope differ:

• Membership: A Select Committee is formed by only one House (either Lok Sabha or Rajya Sabha). A Joint Committee has members from both Houses.
• Use: Select Committees are common for normal Bills, while Joint Committees are formed for very important or controversial Bills.
• Size: A Joint Committee usually has more members than a Select Committee.

Significance of Select Committees UPSC

The Select Committee in India is one of the strongest tools of Parliament. They make Indian democracy healthier in many ways. Without Select Committees, laws might be weak or rushed. With them, laws become fair, strong, and practical.

• Checks and Balances: They stop the government from passing hasty or faulty laws.
• Expert Opinions: By inviting experts, they add depth to law-making.
• Better Laws: Their detailed reports make Bills stronger and more useful.
• Political Cooperation: MPs from different parties sit together and work beyond politics.
• People’s Voice: Through consultations, common citizens indirectly get a chance to shape laws.