One Nation, One Poll: What Is A JPC And What Powers Does It Have? | Explained – News18
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PM Modi advocated for a thorough discussion at all levels regarding the ‘One Nation, One Poll’ bill and proposed that it be referred to a JPC.
‘One Nation, One Poll’ bill in Lok Sabha.
The BJP-ruled Centre took a significant step towards implementing its “one nation, one poll” agenda on Thursday as the Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, approved a constitutional amendment bill to facilitate simultaneous elections for the Lok Sabha and state legislative assemblies. The Cabinet also approved two draft legislations, including one to amend laws related to three Union territories with legislative assemblies, aligning them with the proposed constitutional changes.
Along with this, it also announced the formation of a Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) to facilitate detailed deliberations on the proposed legislations. PM Modi advocated for a thorough discussion at all levels regarding the ‘One Nation, One Poll’ bill and proposed that it be referred to a JPC, Union Home Minister Amit Shah stated on Tuesday, December 17.
Shah made these comments in the Lok Sabha while addressing objections to the introduction of the Constitution (129th Amendment) Bill, which aims to implement simultaneous elections for the Lower House of Parliament and state assemblies. “When One Nation, One Poll bills came up in Cabinet, PM Modi said these should be referred to the Joint Committee of Parliament. There should be a detailed discussion over it at every level,” PTI reported Shah as saying.
This decision raised several questions: What is a JPC? Why is it formed? How does it function, and how many members does it have? Here’s everything you need to know about the JPC.
What Is A JPC?
A Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) is a specialised committee established by the Parliament to examine issues of national importance, particularly bills or financial irregularities that require detailed scrutiny. The JPC comprises members from both houses of Parliament – the Lok Sabha (the lower house) and the Rajya Sabha (the upper house). It is set up to facilitate in-depth analysis of complex issues, often when the matter at hand has wide-reaching implications.
Why Is A JPC Formed?
A JPC is typically formed to investigate critical bills, policies, or matters that need more extensive review than what is possible through the regular parliamentary procedure. It also plays a crucial role in probing financial misconduct, discrepancies, or any irregularities in government activities. In the current context, the government decided to form a JPC to discuss the bill for ‘one country, one poll,’ signalling the importance and complexity of the proposal.
How does A JPC Work?
The process of forming a JPC begins when a proposal is made in one house of Parliament, and the other house approves it. Once established, the JPC’s members are selected from both Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha, with the specific number of members varying depending on the subject under review. However, one consistent rule is that the number of Lok Sabha members is always double that of Rajya Sabha members. For instance, if there are five members from Rajya Sabha, there will be ten members from Lok Sabha.
The JPC operates as an ad-hoc body, meaning its existence and duration are determined by the scope of the issues it is tasked with examining. It has the authority to demand information – both oral and written – and can call for documents related to its investigation. Additionally, the committee has the power to summon individuals, institutions, or parties for questioning, and failure to comply with such summons is considered contempt of Parliament.
Powers And Functions Of JPC
The JPC wields considerable authority during its investigations. It can summon witnesses, request evidence, and demand documents related to the matter under review. The JPC also has the power to summon people, including government officials or representatives from various sectors, to testify before it. Anyone who fails to appear when summoned may face serious consequences, including contempt of Parliament charges.
One of the most significant powers of the JPC is its ability to make decisions regarding the investigation process. In the event of disputes over the evidence or procedure, the chairman of the committee has the final say. While the findings of a JPC are confidential, the committee can choose to make its conclusions public, especially if they are of substantial public interest.
In certain cases, the government has the authority to withhold the JPC’s report if it believes that the contents could compromise national security. However, such a decision must be justified on the grounds of national interest.
The formation of a Joint Parliamentary Committee is a key tool in ensuring that important bills and issues are thoroughly reviewed before they are passed. With significant powers of investigation and the ability to summon witnesses, a JPC helps ensure that Parliament makes well-informed decisions on matters of national significance. As the debate over ‘one country, one poll’ progresses, the role of the newly formed JPC will be crucial in shaping the outcome.
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