Which of the following parliamentary committee is jointly elected by both houses of Parliament?

Question

Which of the following parliamentary committee is jointly elected by both houses of Parliament?

1. A. Business Advisory Committee
2. B. Estimate Committee
3. C. Committee on Public Undertakings (Correct answer)
4. D. Committee of Privileges

Correct Answer

Option C — Committee on Public Undertakings

Detailed Solution & Explanation

The correct answer is Committee on Public Undertakings.

Key Points

• The Committee on Public Undertakings (COPU) draws its members from both Houses — 15 from the Lok Sabha and 7 from the Rajya Sabha, all elected by their respective Houses by the system of proportional representation by means of the single transferable vote.
• Why the others do not qualify:
  • Estimates Committee — 30 members, all from the Lok Sabha. It is the only financial committee with no Rajya Sabha representation.
  • Business Advisory Committee — each House has its own; the Lok Sabha's has 15 members chaired by the Speaker, the Rajya Sabha's 11 chaired by the Chairman. Neither is a joint body.
  • Committee of Privileges — again separate for each House: 15 members in the Lok Sabha, 10 in the Rajya Sabha.

Additional Information

• The three financial committees:
  • Public Accounts Committee (PAC) — 22 members, 15 from the Lok Sabha and 7 from the Rajya Sabha. Constituted in 1921. It examines the CAG's audit reports and is described as the CAG's "twin". By convention since 1967, its chairman is from the Opposition.
  • Estimates Committee — 30 members from the Lok Sabha only, constituted in 1950 on the suggestion of John Mathai. It is the largest committee and suggests economies in expenditure, which is why it is called the "continuous economy committee".
  • Committee on Public Undertakings — 22 members, constituted in 1964 on the recommendation of the Krishna Menon Committee. It examines the reports and accounts of public sector undertakings.
• A minister cannot be elected to any of the three financial committees, and if a member is appointed a minister, they cease to be a member of the committee.
• The term of these committees is one year.
• Department-related Standing Committees, of which there are 24, each have 31 members — 21 from the Lok Sabha and 10 from the Rajya Sabha. They were set up in 1993 and cover all ministries; their reports are advisory.