Question

Which of the following is/are correct concerning Department related standing committees (DRSC)?

1. It comprises of 45 members: 30 from Lok Sabha and 15 from the Rajya Sabha.

2. All the members are elected.

3. They are appointed for a maximum period of one year.

1. 1 and 2 only
2. 3 only
3. 1 only
4. 2 and 3 only

Answer 1

Correct Answer - Option 2 : 3 only

The correct answer is 3 only.

• The Reports of Rules Committees of the 10th Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha adopted by the two Houses on 29 March 1993 paved the way for the setting up of the 17 departmentally related standing committees covering under their jurisdiction all the Ministries/Departments of the Union Government.
  • The 17 departmentally related standing committees were formally constituted with effect from April 1993. 
• Till 13th Lok Sabha, each of these standing committees used to consist of 45 members
  • ​30 nominated by the Speaker from amongst the members of Lok Sabha and 15 members nominated by the Chairman, Rajya Sabha from amongst the members of Rajya Sabha. Hence statement 2 not correct.
  • With re-structuring of DRSCs in July 2004, each DRSC consists of 31 members—21 from Lok Sabha and 10 from Rajya Sabha. Hence statement 1 is not correct.
• There are 24 department-related standing committees (DRSCs). 
• They are appointed for a maximum period of one year and the committees are reconstituted every year cutting across party lines. Hence statement 3 is correct.
• Functions
  • to consider the Demands for Grants of the related Ministries/Departments and report thereon.
    • The report shall not suggest anything of the nature of cut motions;
  • to examine Bills, pertaining to the related Ministries/Departments, referred to the Committee by the Chairman or the Speaker, as the case may be, and report thereon;
  • to consider the annual reports of the Ministries/Departments and report thereon; and
  • to consider national basic long term policy documents presented to the Houses , if referred to the Committee by the Chairman or the Speaker, as the case may be, and report thereon:
    • Provided that the Standing Committees shall not consider matters of day-to-day administration of the related Ministries/Departments.