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After Opposition MPs walked out of the Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) meeting on Wednesday, Chairman Jagdambika Pal stated that members who wish to be heard should not have boycotted the meeting.
Speaking to ANI, Pal highlighted that he had addressed all members' opinions and concerns. "In the last three months, we held 29 meetings, and more than 147 delegations participated. We have given opportunities to all organisations as per the JPC's mandate. If the Opposition MPs feel more people need to be heard, boycotting the meeting is not the right approach. I have listened to all members, including Sanjay Singh, Kalyan Banerjee, and Asaduddin Owaisi," he said. Pal further noted that he would propose a resolution in the House on Thursday to extend the tenure of the committee. "I will move a resolution in the House tomorrow for the extension of the JPC's tenure," he added. Earlier, Opposition MPs walked out of the JPC meeting, raising concerns that several state boards remained unheard and criticising the decision to table the draft report in the Lok Sabha on November 29. They have demanded an extension of the committee's timeline. Addressing the media after the walkout, AIMIM MP Asaduddin Owaisi said, "The mandate is to present the report on November 29. How can we do that without following proper procedures? This committee hasn't visited Bihar or West Bengal, and many stakeholders have not been given a chance to voice their views. Why isn't the committee allowing all stakeholders to participate?" Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MP Sanjay Singh echoed these concerns, calling it inappropriate to submit the report without hearing all stakeholders. "Finalising the report without hearing all stakeholders and completing the JPC's tour is wrong. The Speaker had assured us that the JPC's timeline would be extended. Despite this, the draft report is being rushed. Governments in Delhi, Jammu and Kashmir, Punjab, and Uttar Pradesh have not been heard," Singh said. On November 21, JPC Chairman Jagdambika Pal stated that the report was ready and that clause-by-clause discussions would be held. He further emphasised that the committee's actions were guided by the Speaker's directives after the bill was referred to the JPC. (ANI)
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