SC asks Centre to file affidavit to limit ministries

New Delhi, Nov 10 (UNI) The Supreme Court today directed the Centre to file an affidavit within four weeks taking a clear stand on the issue of the size of the Union Council of Ministers as well as in the states.

A bench comprising Chief Justice Y K Sabharwal and Justices C K Thakker and R V Raveendran issued the directions when the Additional Solicitor General R Mohan Ram failed to take a categorical stand on the issue of limiting the size of ministries.

The apex court also told the government, ''you may consider bringing a constitutional amendment as well as amending the Representation of the People Act in order to check the violation of the provisions of law by the parties in power.'' The court also said the provisions of law have been there for the last 50 years and have been flouted by the parties in power to accommodate their favourites and supporters in the ministry.

Notably, the political parties appointed parliamentary secretaries with cabinet ranks circumventing the High Court order of not exceeding the number of council of ministers from 12 per cent to 15 per cent of the total number of strength of the majority parties.

The petitioners have been given two weeks time to file their response in regard to the affidavit to be filed by the Centre.

UNI AKS/SC SSC RP RS1843