On Thursday, December 19, Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal will propose a motion in Parliament to refer the Bills on the ‘One Nation, One Election’ proposal to a Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) for further examination. The committee will consist of 21 members from the Lok Sabha and 10 members from the Rajya Sabha. Notable members include Congress leaders Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and Manish Tewari, BJP’s Bansuri Swaraj and Anurag Singh Thakur, and NCP’s Supriya Sule.
Meghwal is also expected to propose that the committee submit its report on the Bills on the first day of the last week of the next session.
What is a Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC)?
A Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) is a special parliamentary body formed for a specific purpose, typically to scrutinize a subject or Bill in detail. It is composed of members from both Houses of Parliament and includes representatives from the ruling and opposition parties. Once its task is completed, the JPC is dissolved.
How is a JPC Constituted?
A JPC is formed after a motion is passed in one House of Parliament and agreed to by the other House. The number of members in the committee can vary, and the Parliament decides who will be included. The JPC is tasked with investigating or reviewing specific matters, often involving complex issues or irregularities.
Examples of JPCs
- Waqf Amendment Bill, 2024: A JPC was set up in August this year to examine this Bill.
- Personal Data Protection Bill, 2019: Another example of a JPC formed to review this Bill.
- Investigations into Irregularities: JPCs are also formed to investigate alleged financial irregularities. For instance, Congress members called for a JPC to investigate allegations by Hindenburg Research against SEBI Chairperson Madhabi Puri Buch.
Mandate and Powers of a JPC
The mandate of a JPC is determined by the motion that constitutes it. For example, the JPC on the stock market scam was tasked with investigating financial irregularities, fixing responsibility, identifying regulatory loopholes, and making recommendations.
A JPC has the power to:
- Scrutinize documents
- Summon people for questioning
- Submit a report with recommendations to the government
Confidentiality and Limitations
The proceedings and findings of a JPC are generally confidential, except when matters of public interest are involved. The government may withhold certain documents if they are deemed prejudicial to the safety or interest of the State. In case of disputes over calling for evidence, the Speaker has the final say.
Recommendations and Impact
While the recommendations of a JPC carry persuasive value, they are not binding on the government. The government can choose to investigate further based on the JPC’s findings, but it is not obligated to do so. The government is required to report on the follow-up actions taken in response to the JPC’s recommendations.
Notable JPCs with Investigative Powers
- Allocation and Pricing of Telecom Licenses and Spectrum
- Pesticide Residues and Safety Standards for Beverages
- Stock Market Scam
- Irregularities in Securities and Banking Transactions
- Bofors Contract
- Constitutional and Legal Position Relating to Office of Profit
Multiple-Choice Questions (MCQs):
1. What is the primary purpose of a Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC)?
A) To pass laws
B) To investigate and scrutinize a specific issue or Bill
C) To conduct elections
D) To regulate Parliament proceedings
Answer: B) To investigate and scrutinize a specific issue or Bill
2. How is a JPC constituted?
A) By the Prime Minister
B) After a motion is passed in one House and agreed by the other House
C) By the President
D) By the Speaker of the Lok Sabha
Answer: B) After a motion is passed in one House and agreed by the other House
3. Which of the following is an example of a JPC formed to investigate irregularities?
A) Waqf Amendment Bill, 2024
B) Personal Data Protection Bill, 2019
C) Stock Market Scam
D) None of the above
Answer: C) Stock Market Scam
4. What powers does a JPC have?
A) To pass laws
B) To scrutinize documents and summon people for questioning
C) To create new committees
D) To dissolve Parliament
Answer: B) To scrutinize documents and summon people for questioning
5. Are the recommendations of a JPC binding on the government?
A) Yes, they are mandatory
B) No, they are not binding
C) Only if approved by the President
D) Only if the majority of Parliament agrees
Answer: B) No, they are not binding