The parliamentary committee that examines whether the powers to make rules and regulations delegated by Parliament to the executive are being properly exercised is the:

This committee examines whether the powers to make regulations, rules, sub-rules and bye-laws, delegated by Parliament or conferred by the Constitution, are being properly exercised by the executive within the limits of the delegation.

Meaning of subordinate (delegated) legislation:

• Parliament passes laws in general terms and often authorises the executive to make detailed rules and regulations.
• Such rules are called subordinate or delegated legislation.
• Because Parliament does not have the time or technical expertise to deal with every detail, delegation is necessary, but it must be controlled.

Composition:

• The Lok Sabha committee has 15 members, nominated by the Speaker.
• The Rajya Sabha also has a Committee on Subordinate Legislation, with 15 members nominated by the Chairman.
• A minister cannot be a member of the committee.
• By convention, the chairman of the committee is often from the opposition.

History:

The Lok Sabha committee was first set up in 1953.

Functions:

• It examines whether the rules are in accordance with the parent Act and the Constitution.
• It checks whether the rules impose any tax, bar the jurisdiction of courts, or have retrospective effect without clear authorisation.
• It checks whether there has been unjustifiable delay in publishing the rules or laying them before Parliament.
• It recommends changes where rules exceed the delegated powers.

Laying of rules:

Most Acts require that rules made under them be laid before both Houses of Parliament, which can modify or annul them.

Other committees:

• Committee on Government Assurances: checks whether ministers have fulfilled promises made in Parliament.
• Committee on Petitions: examines petitions from the public on bills and matters of public importance.
• Rules Committee: considers matters of procedure in the House.

Judicial control:

Courts can strike down delegated legislation that goes beyond the powers given by the parent Act or violates the Constitution.

Why not the other options?

• ✗The Committees on Government Assurances and Petitions and the Rules Committee have other functions.