Standing Committee on Defence (India)

Following the adoption of the Reports of Rules Committees of the 10th Lok Sabha by the two Houses on 29 March 1993, the way was paved for the setting up of the seventeen Departmentally Related Standing Committees(DRSCs) covering under their jurisdiction all the Ministries/Departments of the Union Government. Formally setup in April 1993, the committee 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.

However, during the re-structuring of DRSCs in July 2004 by the 14th Lok Sabha, the membership was reduced to 31 members—21 from Lok Sabha and 10 from Rajya Sabha.

The inaugural chairperson of the committee was Buta Singh, former Minister of Home Affairs (1984–86) and Minister of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution (1995–96) and a member of Indian National Congress.

The functions of the committee are stated as below :

• To consider the Demands for Grants of the Ministry of Defence (MOD) and make reports on the same which are to be tabled in both the houses.
• To examine such bills pertaining to the MOD as are referred to the committee by the Speaker, Lok Sabha or the Chairman, Rajya Sabha.
• To consider annual report of the MOD.
• To consider national basic long-term policy documents presented to the Houses, if referred to the committee by the Speaker, Lok Sabha or the chairman, Rajya Sabha.

The Standing Committees shall not consider the matters of day-to-day administration of the department.

After the general discussion on the Budget in the House is over, the Lok Sabha is adjourned for a fixed period. The Committee considers the Demands for Grants of the Ministry of Defence under its jurisdiction during the aforesaid period and present/lay reports. The Report on Demands for Grants does not suggest anything of the nature of cut motions. The Demands for Grants are considered by the House in the light of the Reports of the Committee

The Committee considers only such Bills introduced in either of the Houses as are referred to it by the Speaker, Lok Sabha or the chairman, Rajya Sabha as the case may be. The Committee considers the general principles and clauses of the Bills referred to it and makes Reports thereon within the given time.

Keys: {{legend2|{{party color|Bharatiya Janata Party}}|BJP (13)|border=solid 1px #AAAAAA}} {{legend2|{{party color|Indian National Congress}}|INC (5)|border=solid 1px #AAAAAA}} {{legend2|{{party color|Samajwadi Party}}|SP (1)|border=solid 1px #AAAAAA}} {{legend2|{{party color|All India Trinamool Congress}}|AITC (1)|border=solid 1px #AAAAAA}} {{legend2|{{party color|Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam}}|DMK (1)|border=solid 1px #AAAAAA}} {{legend2|{{party color|Telugu Desam Party}}|TDP (1)|border=solid 1px #AAAAAA}} {{legend2|{{party color|Rashtriya Janata Dal}}|RJD (1)|border=solid 1px #AAAAAA}} {{legend2|{{party color|Aam Aadmi Party}}|AAP (1)|border=solid 1px #AAAAAA}} {{legend2|{{party color|Nationalist Congress Party}}|NCP (1)|border=solid 1px #AAAAAA}} {{legend2|{{party color|Biju Janata Dal}}|BJD (1)|border=solid 1px #AAAAAA}} {{legend2|{{party color|All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam}}|AIADMK (1)|border=solid 1px #AAAAAA}} {{legend2|{{party color|Communist Party of India}}|CPI (1)|border=solid 1px #AAAAAA}}{{legend2|{{party color|Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi}}|VCK (1)|border=solid 1px #AAAAAA}} {{legend2|{{party color|Zoram People's Movement}}|ZPM (1)|border=solid 1px #AAAAAA}} {{legend2|{{party color|Independent}}|IND (1)|border=solid 1px #AAAAAA}} = 31 members

{{Pie chart|caption=Party-wise membership of Standing Committee on Defence|other=

|label1=BJP|value1=41.93|color1={{party color|Bharatiya Janata Party}}

|label2=INC|value2=16.12|color2={{party color|Indian National Congress}}

|label3=SP|value3=3.22|color3={{party color|Samajwadi Party}}

|label4=AITC|value4=3.22|color4={{party color|All India Trinamool Congress}}

|label5=DMK|value5=3.22|color5={{party color|Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam}}

|label6=TDP|value6=3.22|color6={{party color|Telugu Desam Party}}

|label7=RJD|value7=3.22|color7={{party color|Rashtriya Janata Dal}}

|label8=AAP|value8=3.22|color8={{party color|Aam Aadmi Party}}

|label9=NCP|value9=3.22|color9={{party color|Nationalist Congress Party}}

|label10=BJD|value10=3.22|color10={{party color|Biju Janata Dal}}

|label11=AIADMK|value11=3.22|color11={{party color|All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam}}

|label12=CPI|value12=3.22|color12={{party color|Communist Party of India}}

|label13=VCK|value13=3.22|color13={{party color|Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi}}

|label14=ZPM|value14=3.22|color14={{party color|Zoram People's Movement}}

|label15=IND|value15=3.22|color15={{party color|Independent}}

}}

{{Further|2013 Indian helicopter bribery scandal|Indian MRCA competition}}The $8.9 billion deal for the purchase of 36 Rafale aircraft from France was delayed due to the Agusta Westland bribery scandal and a cautious stance taken by the government of India. The committee commented on the delay saying – "The committee are unhappy to note that although a considerable time has elapsed, negotiations with France on Rafale (fighter aircraft) could not be taken to a logical end".{{Cite news |url=https://www.defensenews.com/global/2016/05/05/agustawestland-scandal-casts-shadow-on-rafale-deal/ |title=AgustaWestland Scandal Casts Shadow on Rafale Deal |last=Raghuvanshi |first=Vivek |date=8 August 2017 |work=Defense News |access-date=11 November 2018}}

"The committee takes serious view of the fact that our squadron strength is already short of what has been authorized by the Government and moreover, insufficiency in number of available pilots in the Air Force further deteriorates our operational capabilities," said the parliament panel headed by Major General (retd.) B.C Khanduri.{{citation needed|date=November 2019}}

{{Further|2016 Indian Line of Control strike}}After initial reluctance, the army briefed members of the SCOD during October 2016. One of the members said – "A brief statement was made by the army on the sensitive issue. But no questions were taken". However, this statement was countered by the statement issued by minority members MP Ambika Soni and MP Madhusudhan Mistry – "The decision not to brief the committee over surgical strikes under the garb of secrecy only amounts to 'lack of confidence' in the Members of Parliament, who are in the committee and who are bound by the oath of secrecy. This position is absolutely unacceptable to us".{{Cite news |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/india/india-news-india/army-briefs-parliamentary-panel-on-surgical-strikes-3082274/ |title=Indian Army briefs Parliamentary panel on surgical strikes |date=14 October 2016 |work=The Indian Express |access-date=11 November 2018}}

During April 2015, SCOD highlighted for the first time the disturbing state of defence.{{Cite news |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/report-expresses-shock-dismay-why-committee-of-parliament-is-upset-with-the-state-of-defence/ |title=Why Committee of Parliament is upset with the state of Defence |date=21 August 2015 |work=The Indian Express |access-date=14 November 2018}}{{Cite news |url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/defence/parliamentary-panel-to-examine-operational-preparedness-of-armed-forces/articleshow/61072994.cms |title=Parliamentary panel to examine operational preparedness of armed forces |date=11 July 2018 |work=The Economic Times |access-date=11 November 2018}} In its [http://164.100.47.193/lsscommittee/Defence/16_Defence_7.pdf seventh] and [http://164.100.47.193/lsscommittee/Defence/16_Defence_8.pdf eighth] report on Demands of Grants, the SCOD said that while the sanctioned strength was 42, Indian Air Force at present has 35 active squadrons – "With regard to this, representatives of air force deposed before the committee that a drawdown has already begun and, by 2022, air force will have around just 25 squadrons, thereby losing even the slight edge over rival neighbouring nation" , the panel additionally said in the same report, that IAF would need 45 squadrons to counter "two front collusive threat".{{Cite news |url=https://thediplomat.com/2015/04/the-indian-air-forces-big-problem-not-enough-pilots/ |title=The Indian Air Force's Big Problem: Not Enough Pilots! |last=Gady |first=Franz-Stefan |work=The Diplomat |access-date=11 November 2018}}

During March 2018 deposition of Vice Chief of Army Staff Sarath Chand, it was stated that – "Funds allocated is insufficient and the army is finding it difficult to even stock arms, ammunition, spares for 10-day intensive war. All the three services are expected to be prepared for at least 10 days of intense battle."{{Cite web |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/indian-defence-forces-out-of-funds-won-t-sustain-10-day-war-says-parliament-standing-committee-1188583-2018-03-13 |title=Indian defence forces out of funds, won't sustain 10-day war, says Parliament Standing Committee |website=India Today |access-date=14 November 2018}}{{Cite news |url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/defence/shortage-of-funds-a-big-worry-says-army-to-parliamentary-panel/articleshow/63289102.cms |title=Shortage of funds a big worry, says Army to Parliamentary Panel |last=Gurung |first=Shaurya Karanbir |date=14 March 2018 |work=The Economic Times |access-date=14 November 2018}} Following this testimony, the defence minister, Ms. Nirmala Sitharam said that Ministry of Defence (MOD) has been trying to shore up all the shortages however the forces would have to prioritize and rationalize.{{Cite news |url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/defence/armed-forces-not-reeling-under-shortage-of-funds-nirmala-sitharaman/articleshow/64467401.cms |title=Armed forces not reeling under shortage of funds: Nirmala Sitharaman |date=5 June 2018 |work=The Economic Times |access-date=14 November 2018}} However the SCOD recommended and the government via the Ministry of Defence (MOD) followed up eventually by increasing the financial powers of all three vice chiefs up to {{INRConvert|500|c|lk=|year=2018}}{{Cite news |url=https://www.dnaindia.com/india/report-defence-min-increases-financial-powers-of-all-three-vice-chiefs-2684013 |title=Defence Min increases financial powers of all three vice chiefs |date=9 November 2018 |work=dna |access-date=11 November 2018}}

As part of its oversight process the committee has published quite a number of reports over the course of its existence. The committee has published a total of 87 reports from 1993 to 2010. Out of these, 18 are reports on Demands for Grants (DFGs), 25 reports on subjects taken up by the committee, 5 reports on bills referred to the committee and 36 are reports on action taken by the government on corresponding reports of the committee.

{{portal|India}}

• 17th Lok Sabha
• Estimates Committee
• Committee on Public Undertakings
• Public Accounts Committee (India)
• Standing Committee on Home Affairs
• Standing Committee on Finance
• List of Indian parliamentary committees

{{reflist}}

• [http://164.100.47.194/loksabha/rules/RULES-2010-P-FINAL_1.pdf Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in Lok Sabha 2014]
• [http://164.100.47.194/Loksabha/Committee/CommitteeInformation.aspx?comm_code=7&tab=1 Lok Sabha – Estimates committee homepage]
• [http://164.100.47.193/lsscommittee/Defence/16_Defence_8.pdf Demands for grants (2015–2016) Navy and Air force (demand nos. 24 and 25)]
• [http://164.100.47.193/lsscommittee/Defence/16_Defence_7.pdf Demands for grants (2015–2016) Army (demand no. 23)]
• [http://164.100.47.193/lsscommittee/Defence/16_Defence_41.pdf 41st Report – Demands for grants (2017–2018) Army, Navy & Air Force (demand no. 20)]

{{Military of India}}

Category:Committees of the Parliament of India

Category:Indian Army

Category:Ministry of Defence (India)

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