What is a Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC)?

What is a Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC)?

Context:

The Joint Committee of Parliament on the Data Protection Bill sought an affidavit from Twitter Inc., the U.S.-based parent company of the social media platform, asking them to explain why it had shown Ladakh as a part of China.

What’s the issue?

    Display of wrong map is not only a question of the sensitivity of India or Indians. It is a question about national integrity and sovereignty of the country, and not respecting that is a criminal offence.
    And displaying Indian map improperly and incorrectly is an offence of treason and attracts imprisonment of seven years.

What is a 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.