Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC)

A Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) is a temporary committee of the Indian Parliament. It is formed to investigate specific issues of great public importance and concern. Its primary purpose is to delve deeply into complex matters and provide parliamentary oversight.

A JPC is formed by a motion passed in one house of Parliament and agreed to by the other. The Parliament decides the number of members and the scope of investigation.

• •Motion passed in one house of Parliament.
• •Agreement by the other house.
• •Parliament decides the number of members.
• •Parliament defines the scope of investigation.

JPCs have the power to summon witnesses and examine documents related to the issue under investigation. They submit a report to the Parliament based on their findings.

• •Power to summon witnesses.
• •Power to examine documents.
• •Submission of report to the Parliament.

The first JPC was formed in 1987 to investigate the Bofors scandal. Over the years, several JPCs have been constituted to investigate various scams and irregularities, such as the securities scam in 1992, the stock market scam in 2001, and the 2G spectrum allocation scam in 2011.

Once formed, a JPC defines its procedures, summons witnesses, examines documents, and collects evidence. It then deliberates on the evidence and prepares a report with recommendations, which is submitted to the Parliament.

JPCs are ad hoc and temporary, meaning their scope and lifespan are limited. The government's decision to form or not form a JPC is often influenced by political considerations.

• •Ad hoc and temporary nature.
• •Limited scope and lifespan.
• •Political influence on formation.

JPCs provide a mechanism for Parliament to delve deeply into complex issues and hold the government accountable. They allow for detailed examination of evidence and witness testimonies.

A common misconception is that a JPC is a permanent body. In reality, it is an ad hoc committee formed for a specific purpose and dissolved after submitting its report.

Challenges include political interference, delays in summoning witnesses and accessing documents, and the potential for partisan divisions within the committee.

• •Political interference.
• •Delays in summoning witnesses.
• •Partisan divisions within the committee.

Suggestions include ensuring timely access to information, minimizing political interference, and establishing clear guidelines for the selection of members and the scope of investigation.

The demand for a JPC often increases during periods of significant political controversy. It is seen as a way to ensure accountability and transparency in matters of public importance.

The legal framework for JPCs is derived from the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha. There is no specific Act of Parliament that governs the formation and functioning of JPCs.