(Correcting slug)

New Delhi, Dec 7 (UNI) The Election Commission (EC) is understood to have cleared Health Minister Anbumani Ramadoss against whom a petition for disqualification as a Member of Parliament was filed on the ground that he held an office of profit.

EC sources said an opinion on the issue has been given to President A P J Abdul Kalam, who had earlier referred to the commission a complaint seeking disqualification of Mr Ramadoss on the ground that he was holding an office of profit as president of the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS).

The EC had earlier heard the arguments of both complainant Omesh Saigal, a retired IAS officer, and Mr Ramadoss.

Mr Saigal had contended that Mr Ramadoss was holding an office of profit since the office of president of AIIMS carried allowances and other perquisites.

But Mr Ramadoss told the EC that he was holding the office in AIIMS only by virtue of being the Health Minister and that it attracted no disqualification.

UNI SU PK RAI1905