Govt to examine bill barring foreigners from high public posts – Jethmalani

Asked how the Government could, without having the requisite two-thirds majority, bring a bill for constitutional amendment, the Minister said, "That is why consensus has to be sought and consultations have to be carried out with other parties, including Congress."

Keeping in view Congress president Sonia Gandhi’s Italian origin, NDA had, in its manifesto, mentioned bringing a bill in Parliament to bar persons of foreign origin from high public posts like President and Prime Minister.

Jethmalani, who retained the Ministry like L K Advani, Jaswant Singh, Yashwant Sinha and George Fernandes, said that at the end of it, a constitutional amendment might not be required, as a minor change in the Indian Citizenship Act, 1955, could serve the purpose.

About his earlier views on the controversial issue advocating a complete ban on such persons from occupying high public posts, he said, "At that time, I had examined the matter as a lawyer and in my individual capacity."

On the issue of ensuring fixed five-year term for the Lok Sabha, as recommended by the Law Commission and also mentioned in the NDA election manifesto, the Law Minister said, "Discussions that go into drafting a manifesto are somewhat different from the scrutiny that takes place during implementation."

However, he termed both the foreigners and the fixed term issues as serious and said, "Any bills on these serious matters having serious future consequences have to be drafted after giving a considered thought and consulting all political parties."

Asked what were his priorities, Jethmalani said, "I will make every effort to provide better facilities to the judges and examine their salary structure."

He said that at the same time, the salary and other benefits for the Government advocates and public prosecutors need urgent revision.

Asked about the large number of pending cases, the Law Minister said, “It is absolutely essential that more courts have to be created and more judges appointed.

“One of the things Government needs to do urgently is to increase the number of judges and courts. Otherwise, it will be impossible to deal with the congestion of cases,” he added.