Office of profit: Kalam adopts wait and watch policy

New Delhi, Jun 2: President A P J Abdul Kalam is adopting a wait and watch policy as far as the government's response to the Office of Profit Bill, which he has returned to Parliament for reconsideration.

''Let us see. Parliament will consider it,'' Dr Kalam told UNI when asked about his reaction to the government's reported move to send the bill as it is to the President for his assent after getting it approved by Parliament again.

''You are a mediagirl. Eat a pakora as it will keep you away from asking questions,'' he said in a lighter vein on the sidelines of a function where Dr Kalam was handed over the first copy of a coffee table book on Rashtrapati Bhavan 'Mansion Nonpareil-- Marvel on Raisina Hill.'' The President had returned the Office of Profit Bill on May 30 for the reconsideration of the Parliament, which had passed it on May 23. The bill had exempted offices held by 56 MPs from being deemed Office of Profit, which would have been resulted in their disqualification from Parliament.

The President reportedly had reservation about the bill being implemented from retrospective effect. He also reportedly wanted that the similar offices from various states should be dealt in the same fashion and exemption should not be on the basis of individual MPs.

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh met the President to clarify the issue with him. The government is reportedly planning to pass the bill in the same form. However, it was still considering whether to hold a special session of Parliament to get the bill passed again or bring it in the Monsoon sesssion, starting in July.

UNI

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