Parliamentary Standing Committee on Defence

Parliamentary Standing Committee on Defence
Name	Parliamentary Standing Committee on Defence
Legislature	Parliament of India
Founded	1993
Chamber	Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha
Jurisdiction	Defence of India
Members	21

Parliamentary Standing Committee on Defence

The Parliamentary Standing Committee on Defence is a legislative oversight body constituted under the Directions by the Speaker of the Lok Sabha and the Chairman of the Rajya Sabha to examine matters related to the Ministry of Defence, procurement from firms such as Hindustan Aeronautics Limited, and policies concerning forces like the Indian Army, Indian Navy, and Indian Air Force. It interfaces with ministries, public sector undertakings including Bharat Electronics Limited and Mazagon Dock Limited, and services such as the National Security Guard while consulting experts from institutions like the Defence Research and Development Organisation and the Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses. The committee’s work affects landmark projects including the HAL Tejas programme, the Arjun tank, and acquisitions such as the Rafale deal and INS Vikramaditya.

History

The committee was formed in the wake of parliamentary reforms influenced by reports from panels tied to the Vajpayee ministry and the Panda Committee to strengthen legislative scrutiny after events such as the Kargil War and debates around the Arms Procurement Policy. Early precursor bodies included department-related standing committees created following the recommendations of the Sarkaria Commission and the Narendra Modi ministry later expanded functions to reflect issues raised after the 2G spectrum case and the Commonwealth Games scandal. Over time it has engaged with inquiries tied to episodes like the Bofors scandal and the procurement aftermath of the Kargil conflict, adopting practices influenced by committees in United Kingdom, United States, and the Parliament of Australia.

Composition and Membership

The committee comprises members drawn from the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha with proportional representation by recognised parties such as the Bharatiya Janata Party, Indian National Congress, Aam Aadmi Party, Bahujan Samaj Party, and Trinamool Congress. Chairpersons have included MPs who served on defence-related ministries and committees, often coordinating with officials from Raksha Mantri posts and secretaries from the Ministry of Defence (India). Membership rules are governed by directives issued by the Speaker of the Lok Sabha and the Chairman of the Rajya Sabha, with tenures reflecting the life of the legislature and changes following general elections such as the 2014 Indian general election and the 2019 Indian general election. The committee engages subject-matter experts from think tanks like Observer Research Foundation and academics from institutions including the Jawaharlal Nehru University and National Defence College.

Functions and Powers

The committee examines demands for grants presented to the Lok Sabha by the Ministry of Defence (India), reviews defence policy documents including the Defence Procurement Procedure and the Defence Acquisition Council decisions, and scrutinises expenditure by public undertakings such as Bharat Dynamics Limited and Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers. It summons officials from the Defence Research and Development Organisation, checks compliance with treaties like the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty and agreements such as the Indo-Russian BrahMos project, and evaluates programmes like Make in India in the defence sector. The panel can call for classified briefings relating to operations such as Surgical strike (2016) and maritime deployments including operations involving INS Vikramaditya and INS Vikrant.

Procedure and Working Methods

The committee meets in camera and in public sittings at venues including the Parliament House and the North Block complex, following schedules circulated by the Secretariat of the Standing Committee on Defence. Hearings typically include secretaries from the Ministry of Defence (India), service chiefs such as the Chief of the Army Staff (India), and representatives from defence PSUs like Hindustan Shipyard Limited. It prepares memoranda after inviting submissions from stakeholders such as industry groups including the Confederation of Indian Industry and research bodies like the Centre for Land Warfare Studies, and publishes reports presented to the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha. Proceedings may involve reference to statutes like the Arms Act, 1959 and interaction with oversight bodies including the Comptroller and Auditor General of India.

Major Reports and Impact

Notable reports include examinations of capital acquisition delays that impinged on programmes such as the HAL Tejas and the Light Combat Aircraft project, assessments of naval modernisation impacting shipyards like Mazagon Dock Limited and proposals for strengthening indigenisation embodied in recommendations concerning the BrahMos consortium. Reports have influenced policy shifts in procurement frameworks such as revisions to the Defence Procurement Procedure and advice on restructuring public sector units like Bharat Electronics Limited and Hindustan Aeronautics Limited. Its recommendations have been cited during parliamentary debates on matters involving the Rafale controversy, procurement audits by the Comptroller and Auditor General of India, and white papers issued by the Ministry of Defence (India).

Controversies and Criticisms

Critics have alleged politicisation of panel proceedings during episodes like debates on the Rafale deal and the committee’s handling of evidence related to scandals such as the Bofors scandal, while commentators from outlets referencing institutions like the Press Trust of India and think tanks such as the Centre for Policy Research have questioned transparency and timeliness. Concerns have been raised over the committee’s access to classified material involving operations like Surgical strike (2016) and equipment certification by agencies such as the Defense Research and Development Organisation, and disputes have arisen when recommendations conflict with positions of ministries including the Ministry of Defence (India). Calls for reform reference models from the United Kingdom and the United States Congress to enhance oversight over acquisitions involving companies such as Dassault Aviation and Lockheed Martin.

Category:Committees of the Parliament of India