Joint Parliamentary Committee formed to Probe into the VVIP Helicopter Deal

The Government of India on 27 February 2013 announced constitution of Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) to probe into the allegations in the VVIP helicopter deal from Agusta Westland and to identify the role of the middlemen in the purchase of the 12 helicopters.

The motion was moved by the Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kamal Nath. The proposed JPC will constitute of 20 members from Lok Sabha and 10 from Rajya Sabha and submit the report of its findings within three months from the day of its constitution. The motion was adopted in the Rajya Sabha by Voice Vote.

Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC)

• Joint Parliamentary Committee is an ad hoc Parliamentary Committee that is constituted by the Indian parliament.
• The JPC is constituted only after a motion is adopted in one house of the Parliament and accepted by the other house.
• A Joint Parliamentary committee can also be formed when the presiding chiefs of both houses communicates with each other in writing for the formation of the joint parliamentary committee.
• The strength of JPC can be different every time it is constituted but the number of members from the Lok Sabha is always double to the members from Rajya Sabha in the committee formed.

Giuseppe Orsi held on Bribe Charges in Indian Defence Helicopter Deal