A 31-member Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) formed to review the two bills related to the One Nation One Election i.e. Constitution (129th Amendment) Bill, 2024 and Union Territories Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2024. These bills lay down mechanism to hold simultaneous elections. This JPC will comprise 21 Lok Sabha members and 10 Rajya Sabha members
About Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC)
Nature: It is an ad-hoc body, which acts as a mini-Parliament to carry out detailed scrutiny of a specific matter within a specific time frame. It is dissolved after its term ends or its task has been completed.
Purpose: It is set up by the Parliament for a special purpose, like the detailed scrutiny of a subject or Bill.
Composition: It has members from both the Houses and from the ruling parties and the opposition. The members of the JPC are decided by the Parliament. Moreover, the number of members can vary.
Set up process: It is set up after one House of Parliament has passed a Motion and the other has agreed to it.
Tenure: It is dissolved after its term ends or its task has been completed.
Mandate of a JPC: It depends on the Motion constituting it.
Nature of Recommendations: They have persuasive value and are not binding on the government. The government can choose to launch further investigations based on what the JPC has said, but it can’t be forced to do so.
JPCs Set up so far: A few JPCs have earlier been set-up, having investigative powers:
- To examine matters relating to Allocation and Pricing of Telecom Licenses and Spectrum.
- On Pesticide Residues in and Safety Standard for Soft Drinks, Fruit Juice and other Beverages
- On Stock Market Scam and Matters Relating thereto
- To enquire into irregularities in Securities and Banking Transactions
- To enquire into Bofors Contract
Read More: One Nation, One Election Bills