BILL ALLOWING MLAs TO HOLD OFFICE OF PROFIT CLEARED

AMENDMENT To be tabled in upcoming assembly session, will entitle MLAs to get compensatory allowance as chairman, members of advisory, inquiry panels too

The Punjab cabinet on Tuesday paved the way for allowing MLAs to hold office of profit by amending the Punjab State Legislature (Prevention of Disqualification) Act, 1952, that prohibits elected representatives from doing so. It is being seen as the ruling Congress’ bid to placate disgruntled party MLAs left out in the cabinet expansion that took place in April this year. MLAs from Scheduled Caste and backward classes who had aired resentment over inadequate representation to the community are also likely to be adjusted.

CHANDIGARH: The Punjab cabinet on Tuesday paved the way for allowing MLAs to hold office of profit by amending the Punjab State Legislature (Prevention of Disqualification) Act, 1952, that prohibits elected representatives from doing so.

It is being seen as the ruling Congress’ bid to placate disgruntled party MLAs left out in the cabinet expansion that took place in April this year. MLAs from Scheduled Caste and backward classes who had aired resentment over inadequate representation to the community are also likely to be adjusted. A government spokesman, however, said the amendments are aimed at addressing the “complexities of modern day governance”.

The Punjab State Legislature (Prevention of Disqualification) Amendment Bill, 2018, to be tabled in Punjab assembly session that begins on August 24 will entitle MLAs to a compensatory allowance along with pay and perks of a legislator. Through a new Section 1(A) incorporated in the bill, compensatory allowance is defined as expenditure incurred in performing functions of that office. It will cover daily allowance besides conveyance, house rent and travel allowance.

PLUM POSTINGS

The section will also define organisations as statutory or nonstatutory and add new categories of office of profit such as chairman and members of advisory and inquiry committees, besides chairmen, vice-chairmen and members of boards and corporations. Though most of Punjab’s 60-odd boards and corporations are in the red, some, such as state planning board, Markfed, Milkfed, Mandi Board, Punsup and Punjab Agro are seen as plum postings. Only eight boards and corporations in Punjab can have an MLA as chairman.

The bill would amend Section 2 of the Representation of People’s Act to include the office of chairman or member of a committee, set up temporarily for the purpose of advising the government or any authority on a matter of public importance or for making an inquiry if the holder of such office is not entitled to any remuneration other than compensatory allowance. The positions will also include the office of chairman, director or member of any statutory or non-statutory body, if the holder is not entitled to any remuneration other than compensatory allowance.

Articles 102(1)(a) and 191(1)(a) of the Constitution bar an MP or MLA from holding an office of profit — a position that can yield

some financial benefit. It can attract disqualification from either House of Parliament, if he holds any office of profit under the Government of India or any state government, other than an office declared by Parliament by law that does not disqualify its holder. Under the Representation of People Act too, holding an office of profit is ground for disqualification. On July 14, Punjab Governor VP Singh Badnore had refused to give his assent to the ordinance and asked the government to table the bill in the House.

The cabinet also decided to extend contract of 516 veterinary pharmacists and 531 safai sewaks up to March 30, 2019