OoP Bill likely in same form in Monsoon Session

The UPA government on Monday indicated that the office-of-profit Bill would be brought in the same form in the Monsoon Session beginning after July 15. Pointing out that the President had returned the bill to Parliament for reconsideration and not to the government, sources said, ‘‘It has nothing to do with the government as such; it concerns Parliament and members cutting across political parties. Parliament can discuss it once the session begins and make amendments if any legitimate suggestion are considered. It is for Parliament to discuss the bill, not the government.’’

On the question of the bill being amended retrospectively from 1959, given that most offices listed in the new bill were set up decades later, sources said there were several court rulings that allowed amendment of bills.

They added that the suggestion of amending the bill from 1959 came at the draft stage.