The Opposition parties are demanding a probe either by a Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC), headed by the Supreme Court or monitored by the Chief Justice of India, into the allegations against a corporate house.
About JPC
- A Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) is set up by the Parliament for a special purpose, like for the detailed scrutiny of a subject or Bill.
- It has members from both the Houses and from both the ruling parties and the opposition. It is dissolved after its term ends or its task has been completed.
- A JPC is set up after one House of Parliament has passed a motion and the other has agreed to it. Members of the JPC are decided by the Parliament.
- The number of members can vary – there is no fixed number. To fulfil its mandate, a JPC can scrutinise documents and summon people for questioning. It then submits a report and makes recommendations to the government.
- The recommendations of a JPC 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.
- There have been six JPCs set up so far. These are “JPC to examine matters relating to Allocation and Pricing of Telecom Licensces and Spectrum; JPC on Pesticide Residues in and Safety Standard for Soft Drinks, Fruit Juice and other Beverages; JPC on Stock Market Scam and Matters Relating thereto; JPC to enquire into irregularities in Securities and Banking Transactions; JPC to enquire into Bofors Contract; Joint Committee to Examine the Constitutional and Legal Position Relating to Office of Profit.”
