Naresh Gujral,MPs free to represent state bodies:Parl. panel

New Delhi, Oct 22 (UNI) The eighth report of 'Joint Committee on Offices of Profit' said representing of states' bodies by Mr Naresh Gujral, a Rajya Sabha from Punjab, Dr P P Koya, an MP from Lakshadweep, and Mr Nihal Chand and Mr Srichand Kriplani,both Lok Sabha MPs from Rajasthan, would not attract disqualification against them.

The report, presented in both Houses of Parliament, today said, " the appointment of MPs to the District Planning Development Board (DPDB), Fish Aggregation Devises Committee(FAD) or State-level Mid-Day Meal Programme cannot be construed as holding the 'office of profit' by them.'' The recommendation of the Committee will, however, remain advisory in nature and cannot give protection from qualification under the law until the recommendations are given statutory effect by the Government by suitably amending the Parliament (Prevention of Disqualification) Act, 1959.

The Joint Committee on Offices of Profit met on July 9,2008 and examined composition, character and functions of the states' panels represented by the MPs.

Mr Gujral has been appointed as member of DPDB by the Punjab government and Mr Koya as a member of the FAD by the UT administration of Lakshadweep.

And,Mr Chand and Mr Kriplani were nominated as members of Rajasthan's State-level Committee for Implementation of the Mid-Day Meal Programme.

UNI/JSS RL AS1610