Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC)

• JPC is a committee formed by both Houses of Parliament for scrutinizing a subject or Bill in detail.
• It includes members from both Lok Sabha (Lower House) and Rajya Sabha (Upper House).
  • Members represent both ruling parties and opposition.
  • Number of members in a JPC can vary based on the task at hand and the members are decided by the Parliament.
• The JPC is dissolved once its task is completed or its term ends.
• A motion is passed in one House of Parliament, and the other House agrees to it.

• Mandate of a JPC is determined by the motion that forms it.
• Scrutinizing documents related to the subject.
• Summoning people for questioning.
• Submitting a report and making recommendations to the government.
• The proceedings and findings are confidential except in matters of public interest.
• Speaker of the House resolves any disputes regarding evidence.

• Recommendations are advisory and persuasive but not binding on the government.
• The government can choose whether or not to follow the recommendations.
• The government must submit an Action Taken Report to Parliament on the actions taken based on the JPC’s recommendations.

• • Telecom Licenses and Spectrum Allocation (2011).
  • Stock Market Scam (1992) and related matters.
  • Irregularities in Securities and Banking Transactions.
  • Bofors Contract Inquiry (1987).
  • Constitutional and Legal Position Regarding the Office of Profit.
• Waqf (Amendment) Bill (2024).

PYQ:

[2018] With reference to the Parliament of India, which of the following Parliamentary Committees scrutinizes and reports to the house whether the powers to make regulations, rules, sub-rules, by-laws, etc., conferred by the Constitution or delegated by the Parliament are being properly exercised by the Executive within the scope of such delegation?

(a) Committee on Government Assurances

(b) Committee on Subordinate Legislation

(c) Rules Committee

(d) Business Advisory Committee