Bhardwaj asks Lok Sabha to pass Office of Profit Bill

New Delhi, July 31 (UNI) Union Law Minister H R Bhardwaj today appealed to the Lok Sabha to pass the Bill on holding of office of profit by Members of Parliament as the legislature was well within its Constitutional right to do so.

Replying to a debate in the House on the Prevention of Disqualification (Amendment) Bill, Mr Bhardwaj argued that there had been several precedents in the past exempting members from occupying certain offices of profit. This included amendments carried out in 1950 and 1951.

Mr Bhardwaj maintained that the government meant no disrespect to the President of India, who had referred the Bill with his comments for reconsideration of Parliament, but stated that the Parliament being a body of elected representatives had the right to enact a bill of this nature.

He also said the Parliament was also well within its rights to make the scheme effective with retrospective effect.

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