One Nation One Election Report:
For the past few days, discussions about the ‘One Nation, One Election’ policy have intensified in the country. A committee, chaired by former President Ram Nath Kovind, was appointed to draft this policy. The Union Cabinet accepted the committee’s report in September 2024, and on December 12, 2024, the Cabinet approved the bill.
The committee prepared an extensive 18,000-page report, along with a 376-page summary, which is available on the official website. According to the Ministry of Law and Justice, the government spent Rs 95,344 on drafting the report. This information was disclosed in response to an RTI application filed by India Today.
Breakdown of the Committee’s Work:
- Formation: September 2, 2023.
- Submission of Report: March 14, 2024 (194 days).
- Daily Expenditure (average): Rs 491.
- The costs include research consultancy, travel, and printing. No honorarium was paid to the committee members.
The committee comprised notable figures:
- Chairman: Ram Nath Kovind (former President).
- Members: Union Minister Amit Shah, former Leader of Opposition Ghulam Nabi Azad, former Finance Commission Chairman NK Singh, former Lok Sabha Secretary General Dr. Subhash C. Kashyap, senior advocate Harish Salve, and former Chief Vigilance Commissioner Sanjay Kothari.
- Special Invitee: Minister of State for Law and Justice, Arjun Ram Meghwal.
- Secretary: Dr. Niten Chandra.
Legislative Progress:
On December 17, 2024, the Constitution (129th) Bill and the Union Territories Laws (Amendment) Bill were introduced in the Lok Sabha. The Bills received the support of 269 members, while 198 members opposed them. The government has recommended sending the Bills to a Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) for further deliberation.
