Context :

• Om Birla, the Speaker of Lok Sabha, reconstituted four major Parliamentary Committees (three financial and one standing committee) for the year 2026–27.

Reconstituted Major Committees and their Chairpersons (2026–27):

• Public Accounts Committee (PAC):
• Chairman: K. C. Venugopal (Congress)
• Composition: It consists of a total of 22 members (15 from Lok Sabha and 7 from Rajya Sabha)
• Main Function: Examines the Appropriation Accounts of the Government of India and the reports of the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG)

Estimates Committee:

• Chairman: Sanjay Jaiswal (BJP)
• Composition: It is the largest Parliamentary Committee with 30 members, all elected from Lok Sabha
• Main Function: Examines budget estimates and suggests measures for economy in public expenditure
• Committee on Public Undertakings:
• Chairman: Baijayant Panda (BJP)
• Composition: It consists of 22 members (15 from Lok Sabha and 7 from Rajya Sabha)
• Main Function: Examines accounts and reports of Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs)
• Committee on Welfare of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes:
• Chairman: Faggan Singh Kulaste (BJP)
• Composition: It consists of a total of 30 members (20 from Lok Sabha and 10 from Rajya Sabha)
• Main Function: Monitors implementation of constitutional and legal safeguards for SCs and STs

• • Tenure: These standing committees generally have a tenure of 1 year.
  • Appointment: The Chairpersons are appointed by the Speaker of Lok Sabha.
  • Convention: The Chairman of the Public Accounts Committee is usually from the opposition party.
  • Eligibility: No minister can be a member of these committees.

Constitutional Basis :

• Article 105: Relates to the privileges of Members of Parliament and powers of committees.
• Article 118: Empowers Parliament to make rules for regulating its procedure and conduct of business; committees are constituted under these rules.

Detailed Working of Committees :

• These committees function as a “Mini-Parliament”. Their working involves the following key stages:
• Election and Appointment: Members are elected through the system of proportional representation, ensuring representation of all parties according to their strength. The Chairman is appointed by the Speaker.
• Restriction on Ministers: No minister can be made a member of these financial committees to ensure impartial scrutiny of the executive.
• Examination of Evidence: Committees can summon government officials, question them, and demand files or documents.
• Report Preparation: After detailed discussion and examination, committees present their reports before the House (Lok Sabha/Rajya Sabha).
• Advisory Nature: Recommendations of these committees are not binding on the government but are taken very seriously.

Specific Functions of Major Committees :