18 Mar JOINT PARLIAMENTARY COMMITTEE (JPC)

JOINT PARLIAMENTARY COMMITTEE (JPC)

This article covers “Daily Current Affairs” and the topic details about Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC). The topic of JPC is relevant for UPSC in the Polity and Governance section. JPC is a tool that Parliament can use to enforce accountability on the executive.

For Prelims:
1. Details of JPC
2. Formation and Powers.

For Mains:
GS 2 – Polity
Role of Parliament in fixing accountability of the executive.

Why is JPC in news?

The industrialist Gautam Adani and Adani group has been in news after the release of the Hindenburg report. Adani’s assets and stocks have faced a constant decline. At the same time, 13 opposition parties, including the country’s main opposition party Congress, are adamant about demanding an inquiry from the Joint Parliamentary Committee i.e JPC, calling it a scam. In the current budget session of Parliament, there is continuous uproar regarding this demand. But, the government has not yet acted on the demand of the JPC.

What is JPC?

A Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) is a committee consisting of members of both houses of the Parliament of India. It is appointed to examine a particular issue and report its findings and recommendations to Parliament. The JPC is usually constituted when a matter of national importance arises and there is a need for a comprehensive investigation or review.

What is the process of formation of JPC?

The formation of a JPC is a political process that requires the support of a majority of the members of Parliament. The decision to form a JPC is typically taken when there is a significant public interest in the issue at hand and when there is a desire to have a comprehensive and independent investigation.

The process of forming a Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) in India is as follows:

• A motion is moved in either house of Parliament, calling for the constitution of a JPC to examine a particular issue.
• If the motion is adopted, the Speaker of the Lok Sabha (lower house) or the Chairman of the Rajya Sabha (upper house) will then appoint the JPC.
• The JPC will consist of members of both houses of Parliament and will be chaired by a member of the Lok Sabha.
• The terms of reference for the JPC, including the scope of the inquiry and the timeline for reporting, will be decided by the Speaker or Chairman in consultation with the members of the JPC.
• The JPC will then proceed with its investigation, which may involve calling witnesses and examining relevant documents.
• Once the JPC has completed its inquiry, it will prepare a report of its findings and recommendations, which will be presented to Parliament.

What are the powers of JPC?

The Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) in India has the following powers:

• The power to summon witnesses: The JPC can summon any person to give evidence or produce documents before it.

• The power to examine witnesses: The JPC has the power to examine witnesses on oath or affirmation.

• The power to compel attendance: The JPC can compel the attendance of witnesses or the production of documents by issuing summons or warrants.

• The power to requisition information: The JPC can requisition any information or record from any office or authority.

• The power to take evidence on camera: The JPC can take evidence on camera (in private) if it thinks fit.

• The power to make recommendations: The JPC can make recommendations to the Parliament based on its findings and conclusions.

• The power to report to Parliament: The JPC has to submit its report to Parliament, which can then take appropriate action on its recommendations.

Is JPC powerful or a superfluous entity?

JPC is not a court of law and does not have the power to impose any penalties or punishments. Its role is limited to examining issues of public importance and making recommendations to the Parliament based on its findings. The recommendations of the JPC are not binding on the government and the government of the day can choose to ignore the recommendations. Although JPC is conducted on issues of wider public importance therefore it has a political value. 

How many JPCs have been formed so far?

• Bofors scandal (1987)
• Harshad Mehta Stock market scam (1992)
• Ketan Parekh share market scam (2001)
• Soft drink pesticide issue (2003)
• 2G spectrum case (2011)
• VVIP Chopper scam (2013)
• Land Acquisition (2015)
• NRC (2016)
• Personal Data Protection Bill (2019)

Way Forward

The formation of a Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) is an essential step toward investigating issues of public importance and making recommendations to the Parliament. The government must constitute a JPC and conduct a comprehensive investigation into the issue at hand. This will clear the air of serious allegations made about the government’s role in the issue. 

Sources:

• Indian Express

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Mohit Pratap Singh