New Delhi: In the backdrop of the
problems faced by Jaya Bachchan and Sonia Gandhi, the Rajya
Sabha Secretariat has advised MPS not to accept any office of
profit which may result in their disqualification.
"Members often receive offers of offices in various
Committees/Bodies, etc. under the Government of India or State
Governments, acceptance of which may result in their incurring
disqualification for being Member of the House under article
102(1)(a) of the Constitution," the Secretariat said.
Article 102(1)(a) says that a person shall be
disqualified for being chosen as, and for being, a member of
either House of Parliament, if he holds any office of profit
under the Government of India or the Government of any State,
other than an office declared by Parliament by law not to
disqualify its holder.
The advice assumes significance as 55 members have
been elected to the Upper House in the just-concluded biennial
elections.
"They are, therefore, requested to obtain approval of
the Chairman, Rajya Sabha before accepting such offices,"
Rajya Sabha Secretary General V K Agnihotri said.
While Jaya Bachchan has been the lone Rajya Sabha
member to be disqualified in 2006, Congress President Sonia
Gandhi resigned at that time as member of the Lok Sabha from
Rae Bareli amid a controversy involving office of profit.
Gandhi was at that time head of the National Advisory
Council (NAC), a post since exempted from the purview of the
office of profit.
Recently, noted film maker Shyam Benegal, who is a
nominated member, had sought the permission of the Chairman in
the wake of his appointment as a member of the Prasar Bharti
Board.
PTI
First Published: Friday, July 23, 2010, 10:12