SRINAGAR: The government is reportedly considering extending the tenure of parliamentary standing committees from one year to two, after some lawmakers argued that the current term is too short for the panels to make a meaningful impact, according to NDTV report.
A decision is expected following consultations with Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla and Rajya Sabha Chairman C P Radhakrishnan. The new term of the committees, often referred to as “mini-parliaments”, typically begins in late September or early October, depending on when the panels are constituted.
Parliamentary sources said several members had requested a longer tenure to allow the committees to more effectively address the subjects chosen for deliberation. The 24 department-related standing committees are chaired by members of both Houses, with eight led by Rajya Sabha members and 16 by Lok Sabha members.
Committee chairpersons are usually nominated at the start of the new Lok Sabha term and continue unless a political party requests a change. Members may also seek transfers between committees, which are generally accommodated by the presiding officers.
In addition to department-related panels, Parliament constitutes financial committees, ad-hoc committees, and other temporary panels to examine bills and specific issues.
