New Delhi [India], September 24 (ANI): BJP MP and Chairman of the Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) on One Nation One Election on Wednesday said that holding elections simultaneously could help achieve the vision of a Viksit Bharat 2047, ahead of the targeted time.
He emphasised that the committee is working constructively in the national interest.
Ahead of the JPC meeting on One Nation One Election, Chaudhary said, “If elections happen simultaneously, it is possible that the vision of Viksit Bharat 2047 is achieved before the targeted time… This is not a political matter but about the country… All the members of the committee have a positive and constructive approach and in alignment with the national interest…”
Chaudhary said the One Nation One Election committee will consult economists and will review the Ram Nath Kovind committee report, which states that simultaneous elections could boost GDP by 1.6 per cent, benefiting the country by around Rs 7 lakh crore.
“This has a huge role in the economy, therefore we have called in economists of national and international levels… It will be discussed what impact the simultaneous elections will have on the economy… Ram Nath Kovind committee report has mentioned that this will increase GDP by 1.6% which means that cumulatively, the country will benefit by Rs 7 lakh crore,” Chaudhary said.
He added that the discussions will also examine election-related administrative challenges and the benefits and drawbacks of holding elections together or separately.
“Our committee members will be seeking clarification on the expenditure… After the Model Code of Conduct is imposed, everyone goes into election mode, including sub-divisional officers, which results in a lack of awareness of the issues that common people raise. This also results in a loss to the tourism industry… It will be discussed what the benefits and losses of simultaneous as well as separate elections will be,” Chaudhary said.
Chairman of the 16th Finance Commission, Arvind Panagariya, and Economist Surjit Bhalla also arrived for the meeting of the JPC on One Nation, One Election.
While speaking to the reporters before the meeting, Chaudhary said, “The meeting’s agenda focuses on the economic aspects of implementing ‘One Nation, One Election,’ specifically examining its impact on the GDP. Noted economists Arvind Panagariya, Surjit S. Bhalla, and Montek Singh Ahluwalia, who are recognised both nationally and internationally, will participate. The discussion will clarify the claim that simultaneous elections could benefit the economy by 1.6% of GDP, equating to approximately seven lakh crores in savings. The committee has held around 12-13 meetings and visited five states and one union territory to assess progress. Further plans are set for 2026.”
The ‘One Nation, One Election’ bill was referred to the Joint Parliamentary Committee in December 2024. The Lok Sabha on August 12 accepted a motion to extend the tenure for the Joint Parliamentary Committee’s report on the ‘One Nation, One Election Bill’.
The extension will allow the committee to submit its findings by the first day of the last week of the winter session in 2025.
The motion was moved by PP Chaudhary, Chairman of the One Nation, One Election Panel. He requested the House to allow the JPC more time to present the report on the Constitution (One Hundred and Twenty-Ninth Amendment) Bill, 2024, and the Union Territories Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2024.
“That this House do extend time for the presentation of the Report of the Joint Committee on the Constitution (One Hundred and Twenty-Ninth Amendment) Bill, 2024, and the Union Territories Laws (Amendment ) Bill, 2024, upto the first day of the last week of the Winter Session, 2025.”
The bill was introduced in the Lok Sabha in December 2024. The bills were sent to the Joint Committee of both houses for further examination. (ANI)
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