Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC)

 Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) 

 

A Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) is set up to examine a particular bill presented before the Parliament, or for the purpose of investigating cases of financial irregularities in any  

government activity.

✅ The JPC is an ad-hoc body. 

✅It is set up for a given period of time and is aimed at addressing a specific issue.

 

▪️ Composition :

 

✅ In order to set up a JPC, a motion is passed in one House and supported by the other House. 

✅ The committee’s members are decided by Parliament. 

✅The number of members can vary. There are twice as many Lok Sabha members as the Rajya Sabha. 

▪️ Powers and Functions : 

✅A JPC is authorised to collect evidence in oral or written form or demand documents in  

connection with the matter. 

✅The proceedings and findings of the committee are confidential, except in matters of public interest. 

✅ The government can take the decision to withhold a document if it is considered prejudicial to the safety or interest of the State. 

✅ The Speaker has the final word in case of a dispute over calling for evidence. 

✅ The committee can invite interested parties for inquiry and summon people to appear  

before it. 

✅The committee gets disbanded following the submission of its report to Parliament.