Committees are an important element of the Jatiya Sangsad, as in most modern legislatures.[1]
Bangladesh has three types of parliamentary committees: standing, select, and special. Standing committees are normally constituted for the duration of the parliament, whereas select and special committees are temporary entities created as needed and dissolved when their task is complete.[2]
The Constitution of Bangladesh mandates a minimum of two parliamentary committees: a Public Accounts Committee and a Privileges Committee.[3] Parliament's Rules of Procedure requires additional committees, including one to shadow each government ministry.[4]
Standing committees typically have between 8 and 15 members.[5] Committees sit in private, their meetings are not open to the public or the media.[6]
The standing committees that parallel government ministries, and two financial ones: the Standing Committee on Public Accounts, and Committee on Public Undertakings are widely viewed as the most important ones for oversight and government accountability.[2][3][7] Professor of public administration Nizam Ahmed said of Bangladeshi parliamentary committees that "although they do not appear to be good watchdogs, neither can they be considered as poodles." They have little bite - little direct effect on government actions - but their bark can publicise issues and air disagreements.[8] Taiabur Rahman, another academic in the field, wrote that the Bangladesh Parliament has "a weak committee system with marginal scope in ensuring executive accountability."[7]
In the 10th parliamentary sessions, there were 50 committees.[9]
