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Critical Topics and Their Significance for the UPSC CSE Examination on January 28, 2025

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JPC rejects all amendments to Waqf Bill made by Opposition

For Preliminary Examination:  Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC), Leader of Opposition (LoP)

For Mains Examination: GS II - Indian Polity & Governance

Context:

Parliamentary panel accepts 32 amendments moved by BJP and its allies; Opposition MPs issue joint statement claiming no discussion clause by clause was permitted by the Chairperson; the committee will meet tomorrow to finalise the report

Read about:

Significance of JPC

Parliamentary Proceedings on Bills

Key takeaways:

• A Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) is a specialized committee established by the Indian Parliament to investigate and examine specific issues or subjects of national importance.
• It serves as an instrument for detailed deliberations on complex matters that require thorough scrutiny, often beyond the scope of regular parliamentary proceedings. The formation of a JPC reflects the seriousness of the issue at hand and the need for bipartisan cooperation to address it effectively.
• A JPC is constituted when either House of Parliament passes a resolution or the government announces its formation. Its members are drawn from both the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha, with representation proportionate to the strength of political parties in these houses. This ensures that the committee reflects a broad spectrum of political viewpoints.
• The primary role of a JPC is investigative. It examines issues such as alleged financial irregularities, major policy failures, or lapses in governance. Members are empowered to summon witnesses, request documents, and gather evidence, making their inquiries comprehensive and authoritative. For instance, JPCs in the past have been tasked with investigating scams such as the Bofors arms deal, the securities scam of 1992, and the 2G spectrum allocation case.
• Once the investigation is complete, the JPC submits its findings in a detailed report to Parliament. The report typically includes recommendations for policy changes, accountability measures, and steps to prevent similar occurrences in the future. While these recommendations are not binding, they hold significant moral and political weight, often prompting the government to take corrective action.
• The effectiveness of a JPC depends on several factors, including the commitment of its members, the depth of its investigation, and the willingness of the government to act on its recommendations. However, critics sometimes argue that JPCs can become platforms for political point-scoring, potentially diluting their focus on the issue under scrutiny.
• In summary, the JPC is an essential mechanism within the Indian parliamentary system, designed to ensure accountability, transparency, and thorough investigation of issues that affect the public and the nation. Its purpose is to strengthen democratic processes by fostering informed debate and holding those in power accountable

 Additional Information

• The Opposition proposed amendments to all 44 clauses of the Bill, specifically advocating for the deletion of 28 clauses to revert the law to its original form under the 1995 principal Act. Among their objections was the establishment of separate Waqf Boards for the Aghakhani and Bohra sects.
• They also sought to remove Clause 9, which allows the inclusion of two non-Muslim members in the Central Waqf Council. Additionally, all 11 Oppositi