Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Member of Parliament PP Chaudhary was appointed the Chairperson of the Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) on One Nation, One Election.
Key Facts About the JPC on One Nation, One Election
- Objective:
- The JPC is tasked with scrutinizing two bills proposing simultaneous elections to the Lok Sabha, state assemblies, and potentially other levels of governance.
- This aligns with the government’s push for a unified election cycle to reduce election-related disruptions and costs.
- Composition:
- The present JPC committee includes 27 members from the Lok Sabha and 12 from the Rajya Sabha, for a total of 39 members.
- Members are drawn from both the ruling coalition and the opposition, ensuring a diversity of perspectives.
- Chairperson:
- PP Chaudhary, a BJP MP, has been appointed Chairperson, likely due to his experience and expertise in legislative matters.
General Functions of a JPC
- Formation:
- A JPC is established after one house of Parliament passes a motion and the other agrees. The number of members and specific mandate are determined by Parliament.
- Investigative Powers:
- It can:
- Scrutinize relevant documents.
- Summon individuals, including government officials, experts, and stakeholders, for questioning.
- However, sensitive documents may be withheld by the government if they are deemed prejudicial to national safety or interest.
- It can:
- Recommendations:
- The JPC submits a report to Parliament, often containing recommendations to address the issue under its review.
- These recommendations are not binding on the government, but they hold persuasive value and can prompt further actions or reforms.
