RS passes amended OoP Bill

Committee for generic definition; CPM for inclusion of private offices; Bharadwaj looks forward to President8217;s 8216;guidance8217; in future too

The controversial amendment in the Parliament Prevention of Disqualification Act, expanding the list of exemptions in the office of profit provision, was upheld by the Rajya Sabha today.

The bill, passed by both houses of Parliament in May, was returned by the President for reconsideration raising several concerns. The bill adds 55 offices to the list of exemptions, which are presently held by 40 MPs from all parties. With the Rajya Sabha passing it again in the original form, and the Lok Sabha set to follow suit next week, the bill will be forwarded to the President for 8216;8216;compulsory assent.8217;8217;

The government has agreed to set up a parliamentary committee that will arrive at a 8216;8216;generic and comprehensive definition,8217;8217; of office of profit. Replying to the heated debate that saw the BJP and Congress crossing swords frequently, Law Minister H R Bharadwaj said the government was particular that the disqualification act was suitably improvised and sought the cooperation of all parties.

Raising objections to the bill, BJP8217;s Arun Jaitely said it merely sought to protect those who had violated a constitutional provision and the arbitrary and self-serving nature of the bill made it untenable in law. 8216;8216;Parliament cannot legislate on issues that it has no competence and the present bill is liable to be struck down by the Supreme Court,8217;8217; Jaitley said.

CPM8217;s Sitaram Yechury, who pitched for a generic definition of OoP, said it must include private offices also. 8216;8216;If conflict of interest is the logic behind MPs barred from certain offices, then it must also include offices such as directors of private companies and lawyers,8217;8217; Yechury said.

SP8217;s Amar Singh accused both the BJP and Congress of double-speak on the issue. 8216;8216;The BJP government in Jharkhand passed a similar bill but the party is opposing it here. The Congress opposed a similar bill in UP but is sponsoring it here. The Samajawdi Party made a bill in UP and is supporting it here. But I know that it is morally not justifiable,8217;8217; Amar Singh said.

Replying to the debate, Bharadwaj said there was no question of 8220;defying8221; the President and Parliament looked forward to his observations for guidance in the 8216;8216;future also.8217;8217; In democracy, Parliament could not be bypassed, he said, adding the House had the power to remove the disqualification clause with retrospective effect.

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President A.P.J Abdul Kalam had returned the bill on May 30. The Rajya Sabha approved it with 98 voting in favour and 49 against. A provision of the Constitution that seeks to ensure division of power between the legislature and executive, and to avoid conflict of interest in a law-maker8217;s multiple roles, shot into limelight when SP8217;s Jaya Bachchan was disqualified under the provisions early this year. In the political chaos that followed, at least 40 MPs came under the shadow, including Congress president Sonia Gandhi who resigned from the Lok Sabha.

PM calls for truce in Lebanon

New Delhi: Calling for an immediate ceasefire in Lebanon, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Thursday sought a long-term solution that addresses legitimate concerns of all parties in the region. 8216;8216;West Asia is our extended neighbourhood and tensions in that region affects our security and our vital interests,8217;8217; Singh said making a suo motu statement in the Lok Sabha on the situation in Lebanon and the evacuation of Indian nationals. The PM announced that India has decided to contribute Rs 10 crore for humanitarian and relief efforts to rebuild Lebanon. 8212; PTI