EC clears PM, FM of holding office of profit

New Delhi, Sep 22 (UNI) The Election Commission today cleared prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Finance Minister P Chidambaram of the charge that they held offices of profit.

The EC sent its opinion to President A P J Abdul Kalam in this regard following the promulgation of Parliament (Prevention of Disqualification) Amendment law 2006, EC sources said.

Petitions were referred to the EC against the Prime Minister and the finance minister on the ground that they were holding offices of profit as trustees of Rajiv Gandhi Foundation.

However, under the latest amendment the office of chairperson or trustee (by whatever name called) of any trust, whether public or private, would not attract the disqualification clause.

Dr Kalam gave his assent to the Parliament (Prevention of Disqualification) Amendment Bill 2006, a day after parliament approved setting up of a joint committee to define what constitutes such an office.

The presidential assent effective retrospectively was aimed at providing relief to several MPs.

The EC also cleared the names of union minister Subbirami Reddy, senior BJP leader Najma Heptullah and Narayan Singh Manaklav, source said.

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