Opinion - Letters to the Editor   

Office of profit issue

President A.P.J. Abdul Kalam has finally given his valuable assent to the office of profit bill. Although he had no alternative, one wishes he had delayed his assent. The silver lining in the episode is the institution of a Joint Parliamentary Committee to define office of profit. It seemed to clinch the situation in favour of Parliament, avoiding a constitutional standoff. That the Lok Sabha appointed a JPC is a victory for the President.

Ch. Parameswara,
Nellore, A.P.

Had the President delayed assent to a bill that sought to promote the interests of the people or the nation, one could have found fault with his action. The office of profit bill only protects the interests of a few MPs.

When the President sent the bill back for reconsideration, Parliament did not address the points raised by him. Instead, in a show of strength, it passed the bill again without even a detailed discussion. It is unfortunate that Parliament sought to establish its supremacy by virtue of its numerical strength.

P.R. Thiruvengadam,
Coimbatore

Parliament should have clarified the points raised by the President before sending the bill to him for the second time. At least, the bill could have been given prospective effect.

J. Kumaran,
Chennai

The fact that Presidents have, from time to time, sat on some bills shows that some parliamentary decisions are unwelcome and are pushed through on the strength of sheer numbers. Do politicians show the kind of interest they showed in passing the office of profit bill in the Women's Reservation Bill? We certainly need an empowered President, not a replica of the King of England.

R. Sudarsan,
Chennai

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