Parliamentary Oversight Committees: Powers to summon CMs, pro. ministers

15 February 2016 03:05 pm - 7 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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Parliamentary Oversight Committees, which are to be established shortly, will have the power to summon chief ministers and the provincial ministers whenever necessary, Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe said today.

At a workshop to educate MPs on the proposed Oversight Committees, the Prime Minister said giving wide powers to the oversight committees including the power to summon chief ministers and provincial ministers would help ensure that public funds are used effectively at all levels of governance.

He said Parliament which currently carries out an activity similar to a postmortem examination would be given wide powers through the setting up of oversight committees. “Parliamentarians perform postmortems, because some of the legislation or regulations are discussed in the House only after they are implemented. However with the new committee system the MPs will be able to discuss Bills, regulations and resolutions before they are approved,” the Prime Minister said adding that oversight committee chairpersons would have powers similar to cabinet ministers.

He expressed his sadness at the absence of ministers at the workshop and said it would have been possible to get some feedback from the vast experience they had on establishing oversight committees had they attended it. (Yohan Perera)

Pix by Pradeep Dilrukshana

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Comments - 7

Yapa Monday, 15 February 2016 03:58 PM

Yes, we too are sad that Ministers are not interested in contributing how to be effective and also avoid appearing at the Bribery Comm. when asked to appear.Such indisciplined ministers are a disgrace to the Cabinet,

BuffaloaCitizen Monday, 15 February 2016 04:07 PM

Under MaRa, being a Minister was a carnival to involve in corruption and revel in filling their pockets, under Ranil it is getting the opposite.

Raj Monday, 15 February 2016 08:36 PM

Does the present constitution allow this?

Aceman Monday, 15 February 2016 09:14 PM

You Sir, are aptly named.

Aba Jayasekera Monday, 15 February 2016 11:49 PM

Excellent proposal

raj Tuesday, 16 February 2016 12:20 AM

It is wrong for the central government to interfere provincial government affairs. What if provincial government want to summon PM or president, will that be possible? What would guarantee that summoning CM and provincial ministers, are not politicized. Instead, the government should order routine auditing to see if there is any mismanagement or fraudulent activity take place.

onlooker Tuesday, 16 February 2016 01:21 PM

This is de- decentralisation.

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Parliamentary Oversight Committees: Powers to summon CMs, pro. ministers

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