MP Govr ayes OOP bill

Bhopal, Jan 4 (UNI) With Madhya Pradesh Governor Balram Jakhar giving his nod to an office-of-profit (OOP) bill, the state's ten ministers and three MLAs heaved a sigh of relief as a Damocles Sword was hanging over them courtesy a raging dispute over the matter.

Dr Jakhar inked the Madhya Pradesh Assembly (Disqualification of Membership) Bill on December 26, 2006, Raj Bhavan sources said. As many as 98 posts are out of the purview of OOP.

Meanwhile, the Freedom of Religion (Amendment) Bill, 2006 -- aimed at amending the Freedom of Religion Act, 1968 -- was referred to President A P J Abdul Kalam. Earlier, the Governor sought legal counsel on the proposal for legislation.

The OOP Act would be implemented, with retrospective effect, from December 2003. The Shivraj Singh Chouhan council's stalwarts Babulal Gaur, Narendra Singh Tomar and Kailash Vijayvargiya were among the beneficiaries.

Leader of the Opposition in the Assembly Jamuna Devi filed a petition before the Election Commission and notices were issued to the ministers and legislators concerned. When the Bill was tabled in the Vidhan Sabha, Ms Devi said that the move was improper as her plea was still pending before the Commission.

The Freedom of Religion (Amendment) Bill was tabled to prevent conversion either under pressure or temptation. The proposal for legislation makes it mandatory, for a person or institute concerned, to seek permission from the district administration prior to conversion. Illegal conversion would attract imprisonment and fines.

UNI