Rio given clean chit by ECI on office of profit

Kohima, Nov 8 (UNI) The Election Commission of India (ECI) has given a clean chit to Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio on his disqualification issue saying he was not subject to disqualification for holding Office of Profit.

Mr Rio is also chairman of the Bamboo Development Agency and president of Nagaland Sports Council.

According to official sources here today, the ECI has given its opinion after examining the allegations.

Leader of Opposition in Nagaland Assembly I Imkong and 14 other Congress Legislators in a petition to state Governor Shyamal Datta on March 28 last demanded disqualification of Mr Rio for holding office of profit.

The Governor had sought the opinion of the ECI under Clause (2) of Article 192 of the Constitution on the petition submitted by 15 Congress legislators on the question of alleged disqualification of Mr Rio for being a member of the Nagaland Legislative Assembly under sub-clause (a) of clause (1) of Article 191 of the Constitution.

After having considered the facts on record as contained in the opinion of the ECI and having been fully satisfied therewith, the Governor in an order yesterday said ''Mr Rio is not disqualified from being a member of the Nagaland Legislative Assembly'', sources said.

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