The Hindu : National : CPI (M) wants new law enacted

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Friday, Mar 24, 2006

National

National

CPI (M) wants new law enacted

Special Correspondent

"Exempt some offices"

NEW DELHI: The Communist Party of India (Marxist) on Thursday said Parliament should immediately undertake legislation to put certain offices held by members of Parliament outside the purview of "office of profit" until Parliament comprehensively defines what is an office of profit.

In a statement, the party Polit Bureau said under the Constitution, Parliament is empowered to decide on the definition of "office of profit" and to exempt any office from disqualifying its holder under the "office of profit" clause.

"It is necessary for Members of Parliament to discharge various responsibilities as part of public service. It will not be proper to bring all such positions under the `office of profit' definition. It is unfortunate that Jaya Bachchan has been disqualified under the existing law because Parliament has so far not undertaken such an exercise," the statement said.

The party said it was imperative that Parliament adopt necessary legislation so that disqualification under the "office of profit" clause of Article 102 of the Constitution was not applied sweepingly.

Later, party general secretary Prakash Karat said the CPI (M) MPs would not resign.

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail