The opposition leader has handed over a letter signed by 35 prominent MPs to the Speaker, requesting the establishment of a special parliamentary committee to look into the decline in the country’s economy since November 2019.
The letter requested,
i. Non-payment of tax concessions, import restrictions, rapid devaluation of the rupee, decline in official migrant remittances, increase in the country’s inflation to a state of hyperinflation, which led to the country’s economic decline.
ii. Whether the country is facing an unprecedented economic crisis due to rising cost of living due to the failure of the persons who were held responsible in the respective periods to not fulfill their role properly,
iii. Whether the relevant authorities took adequate measures to prevent and/or mitigate the impact of the economic crisis,
iv. Whether there were deficiencies in the government machinery that resulted in the inability to prevent and/or mitigate the impact of the economic crisis,
v. Whether there are other factors that contributed to facing such economic crises,
vi. Whether there are other factors that will contribute to such economic crises in the future,
vii. What measures should be taken to minimize such economic declines in the future,
To appoint a parliamentary special committee to investigate and report to the parliament.
Furthermore, it states that the committee should consist of not more than 12 members and the chairman should be appointed by the speaker.
In the meantime, as the committee may deem necessary for the full consideration of the above-mentioned matters, to summon any person before the said committee, and to direct any person to produce any document or report, to give all such evidence, in writing or orally, or to obtain and shall have the authority to obtain the services of experts in the relevant fields to assist the Committee.
Apart from this, there should be the power to present interim reports made earlier and to hold meetings even if Parliament is adjourned.
The relevant letter states that the Committee shall submit its report to the Parliament within a period of three months from the date of its first meeting.
