Legislature-Parliamentary Committees also referred to as the “Mini Legislature-Parliament” play an important role in any Parliamentary democracy. The Rules of Procedure of the Legislature-Parliament also empowers the House as well as the Speaker to constitute Committees as required. The report of the Committees has to be presented in the House.

The Legislature-Parliament is assisted in its work by 14 different subject Committees and 7 Special Committees. Bills introduced in the House are normally referred to the related Committee for deliberations. The Special Committees are entrusted with special tasks.

The Legislature-Parliamentary Committees have an important role to play in the law making process. The Public Accounts Committee in the House of Representatives is the only Committee that does not look into the Bills. It has been an established practice that the Chairmanship of the Public Accounts Committee in the Legislature-Parliament is given to a Member from the opposition party because this Committee is responsible for monitoring and maintaining the financial discipline.

The Legislature-Parliamentary Committees have an important role to play in the law making process. The Public Accounts Committee in the House of Representatives is the only Committee that does not look into the Bills. It has been an established practice that the Chairmanship of the Public Accounts Committee in the Legislature-Parliament is given to a Member from the opposition party because this Committee is responsible for monitoring and maintaining the financial discipline.

Members of all the parties in the Legislature-Parliament represent most of the Committees. And as the Committees normally is open to the media, the discussions unlike in the Parliament are realistic and above party interest. Most of the decisions in the Committee are reached through consensus. The Committees have adequate time at their disposal, which allows the Members enough time to ventilate their views. The Committee presents its report to the respective House, which then is made public.

The Committee may also submit a “Monitoring and Evaluation Report” which, upon the request of the Chairman and permission of the Chair, is discussed in the full House on the day allotted. This prompts the concerned Ministry to take immediate action that has been recommended by the Committee.